Brought to Life: Eliot Hodgkin Rediscovered

Eliot Hodgkin (1905-1987) was a British painter known for his still life subjects in tempera, which he executed beautifully. He is also known for his haunting views of bomb-sites in London after World War II, which show rank weeds and wildflowers pushing up through mounds of rubble. This revealing, fully illustrated catalogue accompanies the first survey exhibition on the artist since 1990.

Format: Hardback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 25 May 2019
Publisher: Paul Holberton Publishing

Eliot Hodgkin (1905-1987) is a renowned painter known for his exquisite still life subjects,executed with remarkable skill in tempera. His depictions of everyday objects,such as lemons,radishes,dead leaves,and feathers,have always been highly prized by collectors. However,his lesser-known works are equally captivating. After World War II,Hodgkin documented the haunting aftermath of bomb sites in London,where rank weeds and wildflowers pushed through mounds of rubble. This revealing and fully illustrated catalogue accompanies the first survey exhibition on the artist since 1990, shedding light on his diverse artistic journey.

In the 1930s,Hodgkin began to explore the world of oil painting,producing large and vibrant flower pieces. However,as the decade progressed,he gradually shifted his focus to tempera. His subjects during this period took on a distinct surrealist quality,reminiscent of the works of Salvador Dalì. This led to an obsessive attention to detail,with each painting preceded by intricate pencil drawings and brown wash with color notes scribbled throughout. Hodgkin's 1940s paintings of the City of London after bombing are mesmerizing and offer a unique perspective on the destruction caused by war. Over the next decade,he continued to explore still life subjects,but also incorporated evocative landscapes into his work,resulting from holiday tours through France,Switzerland,and Italy. However,it is his exceptional skill as an object painter,especially of ordinary items like lemons,radishes,birds' eggs,dead leaves,and more,that truly sets him apart among art connoisseurs.

Hodgkin's ability to capture the essence of these objects through his meticulous placement and composition is truly remarkable. His paintings evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity,making viewers pause and contemplate the beauty of the ordinary. Whether it's a simple lemon resting on a tabletop or a delicate bird's egg nestled in a leaf,Hodgkin's paintings bring these objects to life in a way that is both captivating and thought-provoking. Through his art,he has created a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and captivate audiences.

Weight: 1148g
Dimension: 248 x 287 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911300571