The Carpenter's Bench, A Knife And Fire
The Carpenter's Bench, A Knife And Fire
Signed Print
David Hockney
£1,300-£1,950
$2,600-$3,900 Value Indicator
$2,400-$3,600 Value Indicator
¥12,000-¥18,000 Value Indicator
€1,500-€2,250 Value Indicator
$13,500-$20,000 Value Indicator
¥270,000-¥400,000 Value Indicator
$1,750-$2,600 Value Indicator
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15 x 17cm, Edition of 100, Etching
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Meaning & Analysis
David Hockney's The Carpenter's Bench, A Knife And Fire is an etching created in 1969, measuring 15.3 x 17.2 cm. Part of the series Illustrations For Six Fairy Tales From The Brothers Grimm, this signed and numbered edition of 100 depicts a knife on a carpenter's bench with rising flames. Hockney employs etching with aquatint and drypoint techniques in this work, which illustrates a scene from the Brothers Grimm tale “The Boy Who Left Home to Learn Fear”.
Hockney's etching demonstrates his innovative approach to printmaking in this period. The composition juxtaposes the solid form of the knife against ethereal, swirling flames, creating a sense of tension and mystery. Hockney's use of fine lines in the etching process, combined with the tonal variations achieved through aquatint, results in a visually complex image within the small format.
he artwork is significant within Hockney's oeuvre as it represents his exploration of narrative themes through traditional printmaking methods. Created during a prolific phase in his career, it exemplifies his ability to reinterpret classic stories through a contemporary lens. The Illustrations For Six Fairy Tales From The Brothers Grimm series, to which this piece belongs, showcases Hockney's skill in translating literary imagery into visual art.