David Hockney’s “A Bigger Splash” Lands in Paris: A Retrospective Spanning Seven Decades
Paris, France – As of Wednesday, a monumental exhibition dedicated to the artistic journey of David Hockney, one of Britain’s most celebrated living artists, has officially opened its doors. Titled “David Hockney: 25,” this expansive showcase at the Fondation Louis Vuitton isn’t just about the last quarter-century; it’s a sweeping look at Hockney’s career from 1955 to 2025.
A Retrospective as Big as “A Bigger Splash”
The exhibition, a collection of 456 pieces displayed across the Fondation Louis Vuitton’s 11 galleries, encompasses a vast range of Hockney’s work. From his iconic California swimming pool scenes to his more recent Yorkshire and Normandy landscapes, the exhibit provides a thorough view of his artistic evolution. It also features never-before-seen William Blake-inspired spiritual paintings that Hockney completed over the past two years.
Norman Rosenthal, a British curator, has hailed the show as the most important of Hockney’s career, while architect Frank Gehry called it “the biggest show they have ever had” at the Fondation Louis Vuitton. The exhibition also highlights Paris’s ambition to reclaim its status as a leading art capital in Europe.
Hockney’s Journey: From yorkshire to Normandy
Born in Bradford, England, in 1937, Hockney’s artistic path has taken him from London to Los Angeles, and back to the Yorkshire coast.In 2019, he found a new home in a 17th-century farmhouse in Normandy, France. This move marked a renewed French interest in the artist, following a major retrospective at the centre Pompidou in 2017 and subsequent shows at various galleries and museums across France.
The COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 inspired Hockney to create “A Year in Normandie,” a 90-meter frieze of iPad paintings inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry. The work is on display in Paris as part of this week’s grand exhibition.
France’s Embrace of Hockney
French author Catherine Cusset, whose “biographical novel” *Life of David Hockney* is being reissued in an illustrated version, noted the mutual affection between France and Hockney. “france and Hockney became a mutual love affair,” Cusset said. “I think he felt at home here: he enjoys good food and good wine, and the French are more tolerant than England or California when it comes to his other big passion – smoking.”
Cusset also explained the French appreciation of Hockney’s art: “The great appeal of Hockney’s paintings is that they are easy to understand.This was sometimes a criticism.In france, though, Hockney found a tradition of other painters giving an enchanting view of the world: matisse, Bonnard, and his neighbor in Normandy, Claude Monet.” This echoes the American appreciation for artists like norman Rockwell, whose accessible style resonates with a broad audience.
Fondation Louis Vuitton: A Powerhouse in the art World
The sheer scale of “David Hockney: 25” highlights the unique position of the Fondation Louis Vuitton in the art world. The museum is loaning works from institutions worldwide, including signature pieces like *A Bigger Splash*, *Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy*, and *A Bigger Grand Canyon*. The transportation and insurance costs associated with such an operation would be prohibitive for many other institutions.
Funded by the luxury goods conglomerate LVMH and headed by Bernard Arnault, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, the Gehry-designed museum opened in 2014 and has quickly become a major player in the art scene. Thaddaeus Ropac,an Austrian gallerist,stated,”When the Fondation Louis Vuitton hosts a show these days,there is almost no competition.” The museum’s most accomplished exhibition to date, “Icons of Modern Art” in 2016-17, attracted 1.3 million visitors.
Paris as a Resurgent Art Capital
The Fondation Louis Vuitton’s emergence has spurred a rise in private exhibition spaces in Paris, including the Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection and the upcoming Fondation Cartier space. “Paris has developed in a way I used to think was not possible,” said Ropac. “We haven’t seen such a concentration of new museums anywhere else in Europe, or even in the US recently.”
Clément Delépine, the director of Art Basel paris, echoes this sentiment: “Paris used to be the art capital of the world in the early 20th century. Then we lost that status to London and New York. Now there’s a shared assumption that we can collectively reposition our city.” This resurgence of Paris as an art capital could draw significant attention and investment from the American art world, fostering collaborations and exchanges.
| Key Factors in Paris’s Art Resurgence | Examples | Implications for U.S. Art Scene |
|---|---|---|
| Private Funding & Museums | Fondation Louis Vuitton, Bourse de Commerce | Potential shift in art market power; Increased competition for major exhibitions |
| Goverment Support for Arts | Tax incentives for art collectors | May spur debate on U.S. arts funding policies |
| Cultural Rejuvenation | Increased tourism, diverse exhibition offerings | Encourages U.S. museums to innovate and attract broader audiences |
What makes the Fondation Louis Vuitton stand out from othre major art institutions?
Archyde Exclusive: An Interview with Art Critic, eleanor Vance on David Hockney’s “25” at the Fondation Louis Vuitton
Introduction: Hockney’s Parisian Triumph
Welcome back to Archyde. I’m thrilled to be joined today by Eleanor Vance, a seasoned art critic, to discuss the highly anticipated David Hockney retrospective, “David Hockney: 25,” now showing at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. Eleanor, thanks for being with us.
Eleanor Vance: It’s a pleasure to be here. The exhibition is truly remarkable.
A Sweeping Retrospective: Hockney’s Career Unveiled
Interviewer: Let’s dive right in.This exhibition spans Hockney’s career from 1955 to 2025, encompassing over seven decades of work.What are your initial impressions of such a vast and varied showcase?
Eleanor Vance: The breadth is amazing. It provides a real sense of Hockney’s evolution and how he’s embraced different mediums. Seeing his early work alongside pieces like his iPad paintings of Normandy highlights his consistent curiosity and artistic drive.
Paris vs. Other Cities: The Hockney Effect
Interviewer: The article highlights Paris’s bid to reclaim its status as an art capital.How important is this exhibition in that context?
Eleanor Vance: Immensely. The Fondation Louis Vuitton, with its scale and ambition, is a major player.Hosting a Hockney retrospective of this magnitude solidifies Paris as a leading art destination, especially given the recent rise in galleries and private exhibition spaces.
Hockney’s Appeal: Accessibility and Innovation
interviewer: Catherine Cusset,the author of a biographical novel on Hockney,mentions his paintings’ accessibility. Do you agree that this is a key factor in Hockney’s global appeal?
Eleanor Vance: Absolutely. Hockney manages to be both deeply personal and universally relatable. There’s a visual clarity to his work, a vibrant use of color, as well as his interest in new technologies, making his art understandable and enjoyable to a broad audience.People find it fun but also thought-provoking.
The Fondation Louis Vuitton: A Powerhouse
Interviewer: The article points out how the Fondation Louis Vuitton is able to host such a large exhibition. What sets it apart from other major art institutions?
Eleanor Vance: The funding from LVMH and the backing of Bernard Arnault provide an incredible advantage. The museum’s location and the Frank Gehry-designed building itself, create an surroundings that attracts attention globally. This exhibition, with its loan of significant pieces, including “*A Bigger Splash*”, is impressive and further reinforces their global influence.
Looking Ahead: Global Impact of Hockney’s Show
interviewer: What do you anticipate will be the lasting impact of “David hockney: 25,” both in Paris and on the broader art world?
Eleanor Vance: I think it will significantly raise Paris’s profile in the art world. It will attract international attention and boost the local art economy, setting examples for museums across the globe. It also will inspire other artists and creators to experiment. The exhibition might also encourage dialogues about the evolution our own perspectives of pop art today.
Interviewer: Eleanor Vance, thank you for your insights. It has been a engaging discussion.
Eleanor Vance: My pleasure.
