Mist

"Mist," created in 1973 by David Hockney, Serge Lozingot, and Gemini G.E.L., is an important example of post-war graphic work that demonstrates the sophisticated collaboration between artist and master printer. This print utilizes the technique of color lithography, executed on high-quality Arjomari wove paper, a pairing that allowed for the achievement of complex tonal shifts and rich, layered saturation. Lithography was central to Hockney’s practice during the early 1970s, as he focused on expanding the technical possibilities of fine art printmaking. The involvement of master printer Lozingot and the influential Los Angeles workshop, Gemini G.E.L., underscores the critical role specialized workshops played in realizing highly complex artistic visions during this period.

Falling within the period of 1951 to 1975, this piece reflects the evolving style of the British artist as he deepened his exploration of printmaking after his significant successes in painting and drawing. Unlike the sharp edges found in some of his contemporaneous Los Angeles work, the composition of Mist utilizes subtle layering of color fields to achieve an enveloping atmosphere. The visual impact suggests the diffused light or environmental conditions implied by the title, showcasing a nuanced control over the lithographic medium. The technical proficiency required to produce such soft, blended effects highlights the specialized skill of Lozingot and G.E.L. in translating the artist's aesthetic into a reproducible edition.

The sustained collaborative effort between the artist and G.E.L. during this decade yielded some of the most technically ambitious prints of the time. This specific work is a key representation of the British contribution to graphic art in the mid-twentieth century. As a classified print, it documents a moment when artists leveraged industrial processes to expand artistic accessibility and influence. This example of Mist is permanently housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., where it serves as a significant record of the collaborative process defining major print workshops in 1973.