▲ Sir Howard Hodgkin CH (British, 1932-2017) 'Beach', 2015-2016

hand-painted carborundum relief on Velin Cuve BFK Rives Tan 280 gsm paper, stamped signature l.l., an artist's proof aside from the main edition of 30, dated '2016' and numbered AP 3/5 in pencil, sheet 33.5 x 44cm; unframed, Gifted to the family of Derek Pope by a Trustee of the Howard Hodgkin Legacy Trust; Property from the Collection of Derek Pope. The present work, as well as 'Bleeding' (lot 12), was gifted to the family of Derek Pope by a Trustee of the Howard Hodgkin Legacy Trust. The gift is a celebration of their generosity in allowing the Hodgkin Estate to acquire Derek Pope’s copy of 'Acquainted with the Night', so that it can be given to a major UK museum, along with a nearly complete set of Howard's prints. 'Acquainted with the Night' was Howard’s first print, made at Corsham School of Art, where he studied and later taught. Signed and dated 1953 when Howard was just 21, it was made at the initiative of the school's first director, Clifford Ellis, and was inspired by Robert Frost's poem of the same name. Howard did not keep a copy himself. Consequently, none could be found to illustrate the entry in the first edition of the catalogue raisonné of his prints (2003). Thanks to the heirs of Derek Pope - a later Principal of the Corsham school - it has surfaced in time to be included in the second edition, edited by Guy Robertson and due to be issued by Art Publishing next year. There were 118 entries in the first edition; there will be 282 in the new one, indicating how central the medium became to Howard's work. 'Beach' is characteristic of Howard's late work and reflects a process he found mirrored in one of his favourite poems, Andrew Marvell's 'The Garden' (1681). It inspired two paintings and one print. The poet celebrates his retirement from the 'busy companies of men', preferring to find refuge in nature and in thought, as the mind: 'creates…, 'creates…, Far other worlds, and other seas;, Annihilating all that's made, To a green thought in a green shade.', To a green thought in a green shade.' Howard was fascinated by beach scenes throughout his life; the liminal meeting of sea, coast and horizon recurs frequently in his work. Here, at the age of 83, in a late print that was part of a series he called 'After All', he has moved away from anecdote and details, distilling and deconstructing the encounter, as though seeing it from above. Condition Report, Condition Report, Presents well. Deckled edges. If a more detailed report or additional images are required please contact the department. Request A Condition Report, Request A Condition Report

Estimate:£1,000

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