David Hockney’s Home, 1969, is a haunting and poetic etching from his celebrated Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm series — a project that marked a turning point in his printmaking practice and a deeper engagement with narrative illustration.

This work is emblematic of Hockney’s interest in storytelling and spatial illusion. While known for his bright Californian paintings, the Grimm series is executed entirely in black and white, allowing Hockney to focus on line, shadow, and emotional atmosphere.

Hockney drew inspiration from both Goya and Picasso, as well as 19th-century book illustration, using etching to create mysterious, otherworldly spaces. He said he chose the Grimm stories not for their fame, but because of their strangeness and “magical logic.”

Created early in his career, they highlight his technical mastery and his shift into narrative figuration. The Grimm prints are widely collected by major institutions including the Tate, MoMA, and the British Museum.

Home, in particular, stands out for its emotional subtlety and visual tension. It is an exceptional example of how Hockney could transform fairy tales into psychologically resonant visual metaphors — all within the bounds of a restrained, monochromatic etching.