David Hockney 7th April 2021, Three Daffodils in a Bottle For Sale

In 7^th April 2021, Three Daffodils in a Bottle, Hockney depicts his flowers in a transparent glass bottle for the first time in his series, 20 Flowers and Some Bigger Pictures. In this signed, dated Ipad painting on paper, Hockney highlights the daffodil floral buds (in the title), although the image clearly depicts to the viewer these bright yellow buds: daffodils are rich in symbolism suggesting rebirth, renewal, hope, joy and good luck, especially since they emerge each spring to light up barren landscapes.

This simple image depicts the transparent glass bottle full of water from which we can see the bright green stems. Hockney depicts the flowers in the clear glass, in this artwork, to challenge himself to be able to form the idea of sunlight hitting the water through the transparent vase. Hockney was creating these artworks during the second half of the pandemic lockdown: he utilises the language of flowers to reflect on ideas of stillness, loss, decay and rebirth, in this image the daffodil heads are downturned and drooping. It is also significant that he depicts three sunflowers: the number three is representative of harmony, wisdom and understanding.

The transparent glass vase is situated onto the same blue gingham tablecloth, as other artworks in the series, with subtle shadow effects seeping across the table; the vibrant flowers in a vase are juxtaposed with a solidly shaded, burgundy coloured wall background, often associated with the old masters’ art tradition.

In 7^th April 2021, Three Daffodils in a Bottle, Hockney manages to create a striking and poised artwork from an everyday mis-en-scene: the viewer can keep retuning to the image projecting their own ideas of hope, renewal and joy onto the artwork.