{"product_id":"metropolitan-opera-stravinsky-hockney-14580","title":"Metropolitan Opera Stravinsky - Hockney","description":"Created to promote the Metropolitan Opera's 1981–82 production of an Igor Stravinsky triple bill, this striking poster is one of David Hockney's most distinctive graphic designs. The production combined three of Stravinsky's landmark stage works—Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring), Le Rossignol (The Nightingale), and Oedipus Rex—and marked Hockney's second major collaboration with the Metropolitan Opera and director John Dexter. Rather than illustrating a single opera, Hockney distilled the essence of all three productions into a bold, symbolic composition that is both playful and deeply theatrical. Against a dramatic black background, three stylized masks are arranged vertically, each representing one of the evening's performances. The primitive gray face evokes the ritual power of The Rite of Spring; the elegant blue-and-white mask recalls the Chinese setting of The Nightingale; and the somber bearded face references the tragic grandeur of Oedipus Rex. Rendered with deceptively simple forms and vibrant color accents, the composition reflects Hockney's lifelong fascination with reducing complex ideas to clear, memorable visual symbols. David Hockney (1937–2026) was one of the most influential British artists of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. A leading figure of the Pop Art movement, Hockney achieved international acclaim through his paintings, drawings, prints, photography, and stage designs. After studying at the Bradford School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London, he developed an unmistakable artistic style characterized by brilliant color, inventive composition, and continual experimentation across a wide range of media. Throughout his career, Hockney remained deeply engaged with theater and opera, considering stage design an extension of his painting practice. Hockney's involvement with the Metropolitan Opera extended far beyond the creation of promotional artwork. For the Stravinsky production, he designed every aspect of the visual presentation, including the scenery and costumes for all three works. Working closely with director John Dexter, Hockney conceived the evening as a unified theatrical experience despite the contrasting nature of the operas. His designs ranged from the explosive, rhythmic imagery of The Rite of Spring to the Chinese-inspired elegance of The Nightingale and the monumental classical forms of Oedipus Rex. The production was widely acclaimed for its imaginative visual richness and has become one of the defining achievements of Hockney's distinguished career as a theatrical designer. This poster is particularly significant because it was conceived by Hockney himself rather than adapted from one of his paintings, making it one of the few posters that stands as an original graphic work in its own right. Its elongated vertical format, bold symbolism, and sophisticated simplicity have made it one of the most sought-after Metropolitan Opera posters of the modern era and an outstanding example of Hockney's ability to unite fine art, graphic design, and theatrical expression.This is an Original Vintage Poster, it is not a reproduction. This poster is printed on heavyweight paper and in excellent condition. We guarantee the authenticity of all our posters.","brand":"David Hockney","offers":[{"title":"C1981 \/ 35 \/ 81.5","offer_id":51441594761462,"sku":"14580","price":1233.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0050\/5728\/2122\/files\/14580.jpg?v=1786034545","url":"https:\/\/postergroup.com\/en-de\/products\/metropolitan-opera-stravinsky-hockney-14580","provider":"The Ross Art Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}