David Hockney's Illustrations for C. P. Cavafy's Poems

David Hockney (b. 1937)

"In Despair," from "Illustrations for Fourteen Poems from C.P. Cavafy"

Etching, 1966–1967

Today Constantine Cavafy (1863–1933) is recognized as one of the most important Greek language poets of his time. When he lived and wrote in Alexandria, Egypt, however, his poetry—some of which is intensely personal and deals in openly homoerotic themes—was seen by relatively few people.

In the mid-1960s, the English artist David Hockney created etchings inspired by a selection of Cavafy’s love poems. Rather than being straightforward illustrations of the text, they are creative interpretations that draw on Hockney’s own experiences. Though homosexuality was illegal in the United Kingdom until 1967, Hockney's etchings were instantly acclaimed and brought heightened visibility to Cavafy's poems.

Holding Division: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs

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