Born 1932, London
Died 2017, London

 

"I am a representational painter, but not a painter of appearances. I paint representational pictures of emotional situations." 
 

Howard Hodgkin is widely regarded as one of Britain's most significant painters and printmakers of the post-war period. His paintings refer to memories and private experiences, but avoid the illustrational. They appear spontaneous, but are often the result of an extensive process of layering and over-painting. 
 

His paintings are characterisd by broad, gestural brushstrokes and a vivid palette of contrasting colors which are painted onto wooden supports instead of canvas. His brushstrokes often continue beyond the picture plane and onto the frame, breaking from traditional confines.

 

Starting in the 1950s, printmaking was an important aspect of the artist's practice, and throughout his career Hodgkin explored the full range of the graphic medium, including screenprinting, lithography, carborundum etching, aquatints and hand-colouring.

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