David Hockney’s Still Life on a Glass Table (1971-72) is a psychologically charged work of art that showcases the artist’s keen interest in optics, perspective, and light. The glass table is a recurring motif in many still lifes and portraits created by Hockney during this period. This particular artwork is a five-color lithograph published by Petersburg Press in 1969.
The artist’s works are characterized by economy of technique, meaning that every brushstroke or mark serves a purpose. In this piece, that purpose seems to be capturing the interplay between light and shadow on the various objects placed on the glass table. The bold colors and sharp lines add to the sense of depth and dimensionality created by Hockney.
Overall, Still Life on a Glass Table represents one of Hockney’s most accomplished works from this period. His fascination with the mundane yet intimate details of everyday life shines through in this piece. It also showcases his skills as an artist when it comes to capturing texture, color, and light to create a work of art that is both technically impressive and emotionally resonant.