Back like he never left: David Hockney battled the Covid blues with stunning new paintings
When the pandemic shut David Hockney's portraits exhibition after 20 days he faced it head on - and painted dozens more.
Singer Harry Styles stars in the expanded Drawing from Life, at the National Portrait Gallery from today.
It also covers the Bradford-born artist’s work over six decades with five sitters: mum Laura, his designer friend Celia Birtwell, ex-partner Gregory Evans, printer Maurice Payne – and himself, above.
Fresh pieces include a homage to Pablo Picasso with Hockney, 86, below, on a pilgrimage to honour the Spanish artist. The London show opened in February 2020 but closed after Covid broke out.
There was no opportunity for it to restart before a gallery renovation. The updated version has 33 pieces Hockney did in 2021 and 2022 at his home in France.
Gallery senior curator Sarah Howgate said: “It is a real privilege to have the opportunity to collaborate with David Hockney again.”