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David Hockney R.A. (British, born 1937) Mo with Five Leaves Etching, 1971, on J. Green mould-made wove paper, signed, dated and numbered 8/75 in pencil, (there were also 16 artist's proofs), printed by Print Shop, Amsterdam, published by Petersburg Press, London, with the artist's copyright blindstamp, the full sheet, framedPlate 680 x 540mm (26 7/8 x 21 1/4in)Sheet 907 x 705mm (35 5/8 x 27 3/4in) image 1
David Hockney R.A. (British, born 1937) Mo with Five Leaves Etching, 1971, on J. Green mould-made wove paper, signed, dated and numbered 8/75 in pencil, (there were also 16 artist's proofs), printed by Print Shop, Amsterdam, published by Petersburg Press, London, with the artist's copyright blindstamp, the full sheet, framedPlate 680 x 540mm (26 7/8 x 21 1/4in)Sheet 907 x 705mm (35 5/8 x 27 3/4in) image 2
Lot 6AR

David Hockney R.A.
(British, born 1937)
Mo with Five Leaves

25 June 2025, 13:30 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £3,200 inc. premium

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David Hockney R.A. (British, born 1937)

Mo with Five Leaves (Scottish Arts Council 125; M.C.A. Tokyo 117)
Etching, 1971, on J. Green mould-made wove paper, signed, dated and numbered 8/75 in pencil, (there were also 16 artist's proofs), printed by Print Shop, Amsterdam, published by Petersburg Press, London, with the artist's copyright blindstamp, the full sheet, framed

Plate 680 x 540mm (26 7/8 x 21 1/4in)
Sheet 907 x 705mm (35 5/8 x 27 3/4in)

Footnotes

Hockney met Mo McDermott, a British Post-War and Contemporary sculptor, at the Royal College of Art in 1961. McDermott became a close friend, assistant, and frequent model for Hockney throughout his career. Their artistic collaboration extended into everyday life; in the late 1960s, Hockney commissioned McDermott to create a "forest" for his Notting Hill flat. McDermott responded by designing and hand-painting a series of stylized wooden trees, transforming the space into a whimsical and imaginative environment that reflected both artists' creativity and friendship.

Mo McDermott, is slightly slouched in the chair, staring wistfully into the distance, as five leaves are scattered around his feet. Mo McDermott would be the one to introduce Hockney to Celia Birtwell and Ossie Clark. The group of creatives went on to form what is still described as "a Northern invasion of London".

Whilst Mo's facial features and hands are rendered in careful detail, his clothing and surroundings are executed in a simpler style, naturally drawing the focus to the sitter's face. Mo with Five Leaves, like other portraits by Hockney, offers an intimate glimpse into the artist's life, revealing who he surrounds himself with and cherishes.

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