David Hockney 15th March 2021, Flowers in a Jug For Sale

David Hockney’s 15^th March 2021, Flowers in a Jug, 2021, is an inkjet print on wove paper created during the second year of the global pandemic as the artist sought refuge in the surrounding nature of his new home, Normandy.

Hockney re-explored themes of renewal and rebirth during a time of mass anxiety, loss and reflection on the meaning of life. This artwork depicting a still life of flowers is part of a larger series, 20 Flowers and Some Bigger Pictures, in which Hockney reconsiders the same objects and layout. In 15^th March 2021, Flowers in a Jug, 2021 he depicts flowers in a ceramic milk jug for the first time: situated on the same blue gingham tablecloth as 13^th February 2021, Flowers in a Glass Vase, this artwork utilises colour smudging to create a shadow effect that resembles the ‘low February sun’ when Hockney first noticed the poise of the flower arrangements in his home kitchen.

A dramatic bunch of mixed flowers stem from the milk jug – shades of verdant green, bright pink, violet and yellow – heavily contrast with the muted tones of the ceramic glass jug. The still life flowers represent the uplifting power of nature to rebirth in a time of loss.