Rain

Perhaps the most famous work in The Weather series, Rain is characterised by its vibrant blue palette which recalls the artist’s representations of swimming pools. Showing a series of puddles made up of concentric circles or ripples being filled by slants of rain, the work is also beautifully abstract in its representation of an atmospheric effect. The water is contained by a frame and yet some drips escape onto the white border of the sheet, mimicking the effect of rain. In this way Hockney shows how he is always capable of pushing his medium further; speaking of this particular effect he said, “I loved the idea of the rain as it hit the ink [and] it would make the ink run. The moment I thought of the idea I couldn't resist it.”

Hockney was assisted in the production of this lithograph by LA master printers Gemini GEL whom he had collaborated with before on A Hollywood Collection and with whom he would work again for the famous Friends portfolio. As well as being inspired by the possibilities of the medium itself Hockney was steeped in the vision of Japanese prints at this time, having returned from the country a couple of years before. Here we see the subtle influence of masters such as Hiroshige and Hokusai who also brought water to life in print.