Bigger Trees Near Warter
Encyclopedia
Bigger Trees Near Warter or ou Peinture en Plein Air pour l'age Post-Photographique is a large landscape
painting by British artist David Hockney
. Measuring 15 feet (4.6 m) by 40 feet (12.2 m), it depicts a coppice near Warter
, Pocklington
in the East Riding of Yorkshire
and is the largest painting Hockney has completed. It was painted in the East Riding of Yorkshire between February and March 2007. The painting’s alternative title alludes to the technique Hockney used to create the work, a combination of painting out of doors and in front of the subject (called in French ‘sur le motif’) whilst also using the techniques of digital photography.
since 1978, he always returned to spend Christmas at his mother's house in Bridlington. From 2004 onwards he spent increasing lengths of time in Yorkshire, the rolling chalk hills around Bridlington became the focus of his art. In 2006, he made a series of nine large landscapes of Woldgate Woods, returning to the same spot between March and November to chart the changing of the seasons. Each of these works consisted of up to six panels.
On a trip to Los Angeles in February 2007, looking at images of his Woldgate Woods paintings, he had the idea of working up the same scene over a much bigger scale. Hockney had to work out how to complete this project, without a ladder, and in the small space of his studio in Bridlington. Hockney said "The enormous 19th-century oil paintings like The Coronation of Napoleon
in the Louvre were made in specially designed studios." Because of space considerations, Hockney had to avoid working on a ladder or on scaffolding. Hockney said, "The trouble is that with something like this you need to step back. Artists have been killed stepping back from ladders."
"Then I realised it was possible to make a single picture that size," he says, "using computer technology to help you see what you are doing. I thought, my God it would be enormous but that it would be good on the end wall of the largest gallery at the Royal Academy
. I'd found a way to do an eye-catching landscape for the Summer Exhibition
. It was quite a challenge."
Only six weeks after his idea in Los Angeles, the painting was completed. The first three weeks were spent organising the project, "The logistics were quite something." His usual procedure when working on the landscape is to load up a pick-up truck with paints and materials, and drive to the spot where he is working. In addition a special rack had to be constructed capable of storing 50 wet canvases.
The painting itself was essentially completed in a three-week period in March 2007. "The painting had to be done in one go. Once I started, I had to carry on until it was finished," says Hockney. "The deadline wasn't the Royal Academy. The deadline was the arrival of spring, which changes things. The motif is one thing in winter, but in summer it's one solid mass of foliage - so you can't see inside and it's not as interesting to me." The solution was to sketch a grid showing how the scene would fit together over 50 panels. Each individual panel was painted in situ, and as they were completed his assistant Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima would digitally photograph them and then make them into a computer mosaic. Using this mosaic he could chart his progress, since he could have only six panels on the wall at any one time. Gradually, with the help of the constantly updated computer mosaic, Hockney built up the picture.
Hockney also spent time just looking at the subject he was going to paint. "I'd sit there for three hours at a time just looking, lying down practically so I looked up.
, where it was first shown in May 2007. It occupied the end wall of Gallery III. Following the close of the exhibition, once the rest of the works had been removed, this painting remained in place. Two digital photographic renderings of the work on exactly the same scale as the original were then hung on the two walls flanking it.
From 12 February 2011 to 12 June 2011, the painting was on display at the art gallery in York
.
From 25 June 2011 to 18 September 2011, the painting is on display at the Ferens Art Gallery
in Hull
.
.
Hockney said "I thought if I'm going to give something to the Tate I want to give them something really good. It's going to be here for a while. I don't want to give things I'm not too proud of."
He also said "I feel loyal to the Tate. More artists should donate. They should think about it. You can’t quite trust collectors who say they’ll give to the Tate and often don’t."
The Tate's director Nicholas Serota
said "It is an astonishing gift. Notwithstanding its size, this painting could have been sold to many buyers around the world. Simply to give with no tax benefit to himself is a remarkable gesture."
The painting found a permanent home at Tate Britain
in November 2009, where it was displayed along with a pair of digital renderings of the painting.
A group of trees near Warter painted by Hockney was cut down in March 2009, but these were not the trees in the painting described in this article.
Landscape
Landscape comprises the visible features of an area of land, including the physical elements of landforms such as mountains, hills, water bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds and the sea, living elements of land cover including indigenous vegetation, human elements including different forms of...
painting by British artist David Hockney
David Hockney
David Hockney, CH, RA, is an English painter, draughtsman, printmaker, stage designer and photographer, who is based in Bridlington, Yorkshire and Kensington, London....
. Measuring 15 feet (4.6 m) by 40 feet (12.2 m), it depicts a coppice near Warter
Warter
Warter is a village and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is situated approximately east of Pocklington on the B1246 road.According to the 2001 UK census, Warter parish had a population of 159....
, Pocklington
Pocklington
Pocklington is a small market town and civil parish situated at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, approximately east of York....
in the East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Yorkshire, is a local government district with unitary authority status, and a ceremonial county of England. For ceremonial purposes the county also includes the city of Kingston upon Hull, which is a separate unitary authority...
and is the largest painting Hockney has completed. It was painted in the East Riding of Yorkshire between February and March 2007. The painting’s alternative title alludes to the technique Hockney used to create the work, a combination of painting out of doors and in front of the subject (called in French ‘sur le motif’) whilst also using the techniques of digital photography.
Subject
The painting is a landscape near the village of Warter, between Bridlington and York. The painting is set just before the arrival of spring when the trees are coming into leaf. The painting is dominated by a large sycamore which features in 30 of the painting's 50 panels. In the shallow foreground space a copse of tall trees and some daffodils stand on slightly raised ground. Another, denser copse is visible in the background. A road to the extreme left and two buildings to the right and rear of the composition offer signs of human habitation. Much of the painting’s extensive upper half is devoted to the intricate pattern of overlapping branches, which are clearly delineated against a pale winter sky.Background
Although Hockney has lived in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
since 1978, he always returned to spend Christmas at his mother's house in Bridlington. From 2004 onwards he spent increasing lengths of time in Yorkshire, the rolling chalk hills around Bridlington became the focus of his art. In 2006, he made a series of nine large landscapes of Woldgate Woods, returning to the same spot between March and November to chart the changing of the seasons. Each of these works consisted of up to six panels.
On a trip to Los Angeles in February 2007, looking at images of his Woldgate Woods paintings, he had the idea of working up the same scene over a much bigger scale. Hockney had to work out how to complete this project, without a ladder, and in the small space of his studio in Bridlington. Hockney said "The enormous 19th-century oil paintings like The Coronation of Napoleon
The Coronation of Napoleon
The Coronation of Napoleon is a painting completed in 1807 by Jacques-Louis David, the official painter of Napoleon.The painting has imposing dimensions, as it is almost ten metres wide by approximately six metres tall...
in the Louvre were made in specially designed studios." Because of space considerations, Hockney had to avoid working on a ladder or on scaffolding. Hockney said, "The trouble is that with something like this you need to step back. Artists have been killed stepping back from ladders."
"Then I realised it was possible to make a single picture that size," he says, "using computer technology to help you see what you are doing. I thought, my God it would be enormous but that it would be good on the end wall of the largest gallery at the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
. I'd found a way to do an eye-catching landscape for the Summer Exhibition
Royal Academy summer exhibition
The Summer Exhibition is an open art exhibition held annually by the Royal Academy in Burlington House, Piccadilly in central London, England, during the summer months of June, July, and August...
. It was quite a challenge."
Only six weeks after his idea in Los Angeles, the painting was completed. The first three weeks were spent organising the project, "The logistics were quite something." His usual procedure when working on the landscape is to load up a pick-up truck with paints and materials, and drive to the spot where he is working. In addition a special rack had to be constructed capable of storing 50 wet canvases.
The painting itself was essentially completed in a three-week period in March 2007. "The painting had to be done in one go. Once I started, I had to carry on until it was finished," says Hockney. "The deadline wasn't the Royal Academy. The deadline was the arrival of spring, which changes things. The motif is one thing in winter, but in summer it's one solid mass of foliage - so you can't see inside and it's not as interesting to me." The solution was to sketch a grid showing how the scene would fit together over 50 panels. Each individual panel was painted in situ, and as they were completed his assistant Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima would digitally photograph them and then make them into a computer mosaic. Using this mosaic he could chart his progress, since he could have only six panels on the wall at any one time. Gradually, with the help of the constantly updated computer mosaic, Hockney built up the picture.
Hockney also spent time just looking at the subject he was going to paint. "I'd sit there for three hours at a time just looking, lying down practically so I looked up.
Showing
Hockney produced Bigger Trees Near Warter for the Royal Academy summer exhibition in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where it was first shown in May 2007. It occupied the end wall of Gallery III. Following the close of the exhibition, once the rest of the works had been removed, this painting remained in place. Two digital photographic renderings of the work on exactly the same scale as the original were then hung on the two walls flanking it.
From 12 February 2011 to 12 June 2011, the painting was on display at the art gallery in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
.
From 25 June 2011 to 18 September 2011, the painting is on display at the Ferens Art Gallery
Ferens Art Gallery
The Ferens Art Gallery is an art gallery in the English city of Kingston upon Hull. The site and money for the gallery were donated to the city by Thomas Ferens, after whom it is named. Opened in 1927,...
in Hull
Kingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
.
Donation
In April 2008 Hockney donated the painting to the TateTate Gallery
The Tate is an institution that houses the United Kingdom's national collection of British Art, and International Modern and Contemporary Art...
.
Hockney said "I thought if I'm going to give something to the Tate I want to give them something really good. It's going to be here for a while. I don't want to give things I'm not too proud of."
He also said "I feel loyal to the Tate. More artists should donate. They should think about it. You can’t quite trust collectors who say they’ll give to the Tate and often don’t."
The Tate's director Nicholas Serota
Nicholas Serota
Sir Nicholas Andrew Serota is a British art curator. Serota was director of the Whitechapel Gallery, London, and The Museum of Modern Art, Oxford, before becoming director of the Tate, the United Kingdom's national gallery of modern and British art in 1988. He was awarded a knighthood in 1999. He...
said "It is an astonishing gift. Notwithstanding its size, this painting could have been sold to many buyers around the world. Simply to give with no tax benefit to himself is a remarkable gesture."
The painting found a permanent home at Tate Britain
Tate Britain
Tate Britain is an art gallery situated on Millbank in London, and part of the Tate gallery network in Britain, with Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives. It is the oldest gallery in the network, opening in 1897. It houses a substantial collection of the works of J. M. W. Turner.-History:It...
in November 2009, where it was displayed along with a pair of digital renderings of the painting.
A group of trees near Warter painted by Hockney was cut down in March 2009, but these were not the trees in the painting described in this article.