Further images
These paintings were made by David Hockney as mask designs for a production of Stravinksy's Le Rossignol performed at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York in 1982. In 1975, John Cox – the Director of productions at Glyndebourne from 1972-1981 - was invited to direct a new version of Stravinksy's The Rake's Progress and commissioned Hockney to design the set. Although Hockney had no previous experience in this, Cox felt he would have 'an instinctive understanding of the material'. This was to be the David Hockney's first foray into the world of opera but not the last. Further invitations came from The Met (as in the present work), Lyric Opera Chicago and The Royal Opera House, London, among others.
Provenance
The Artist, 1982, from whom acquired by
Mo McDermott, from whom acquired by the present owner
Private Collection, U.K.