Synopses & Reviews
Often described as the founder of Pop Art, Richard Hamilton (1922-2011) was long concerned with the great themes of Western painting. At the time of his death, he was completing plans for an exhibition at the National Gallery, London, to include the first public showing of what turned out to be his final work. Based on Balzac's short story,
The Unknown Masterpiece, this work shows three masters of painting—Poussin, Courbet and Titian—contemplating a reclining female nude and reflecting on the meaning of art.
Knowing he would not complete the painting, Hamilton decided before he died to show three preparatory versions simultaneously. In addition, he selected about thirty paintings that trace the thematic development of his art from the mid-1960s to this final, enigmatic meditation on art, beauty, and desire. Based on unpublished letters and conversations, this publication looks at how Hamilton shaped his final exhibition, capturing the genesis of The Unknown Masterpiece and his search for a resolution to his life's work.
Synopsis
For decades the most continually provocative of British artists, Richard Hamilton (1922and#8211;2011, right) was long concerned with the great themes of Western painting. At the time of his death, he was completing plans for an exhibition at the National Gallery, London, to include the first public showing of what turned out to be his final work. Based on Balzac's short story, The Unknown Masterpiece, it depicts three masters of paintingand#8212;Poussin, Courbet, and Titianand#8212;contemplating a reclining female nude and reflecting on the meaning of art. As with much of Hamilton's late work, the image was generated by computer but over-painted by hand. Knowing he would not complete it, Hamilton decided to show three preparatory versions simultaneously. In addition, he selected thirty paintings tracing the development of his art, featuring single-point perspective and the depiction of interior spaces, the sacred imagery of the Italian Renaissance, and allusions to the art of Marcel Duchamp.
About the Author
Christopher Riopelle is curator of post-1800 paintings at the National Gallery, London. Michael Bracewell is an author and cultural commentator who has published widely on contemporary art.