Rain

The work Rain by David Hockney; Daniel Freeman; James Webb; Robert Knisel; Gemini G.E.L., dating from 1973, exemplifies the sophisticated, highly collaborative printmaking techniques characteristic of the early 1970s. This piece is classified as a print, specifically executed using a combination of color lithograph and screenprint on Arches Cover wove paper. This technical integration highlights the extensive resources available at the renowned Gemini G.E.L. workshop, where Hockney frequently collaborated with master printers like Freeman, Webb, and Knisel to push the technical and expressive boundaries of graphic art.

Created during the productive period between 1951 to 1975, this work reflects the refined Pop Art sensibility that the British artist helped define globally. While the subject is abstractly defined by its title, the visual approach is consistent with Hockney’s clean, highly stylized aesthetic, using crisp lines and vibrant color fields to suggest the visual effect of precipitation. The combination of color lithography, which allows for tonal variation, and screenprinting, known for its ability to produce flat, intense color blocks, enables Hockney to render a dynamic yet minimalist interpretation of a natural element. This type of collaborative effort was essential to distributing important contemporary prints widely, ensuring that leading artists could reach broader audiences.

The graphic output created by G.E.L. during this era represents a significant contribution to late 20th-century art. Hockney's innovative approach ensured that his printed works maintained the clarity and immediacy of his paintings, but with unique textural qualities afforded by the paper surface and the layering of ink. This exemplary piece from 1973 is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, serving as a key reference point for understanding the technical and artistic evolution of British graphic art in the post-war era.