The Intimacy of David Hockney: Ossie and Celia (Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy)
When discussing the pantheon of 20th-century British portraiture, few images resonate as profoundly as the 1971 masterpiece by David Hockney: Ossie and Celia. Formally titled Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy, this life-sized double portrait is more than just a depiction of a couple; it is a cultural artifact that captures the intersection of fashion, friendship, and the subtle tensions of a modern marriage. As curators and collectors often observe, Hockney’s ability to weave domestic intimacy with rigorous formal technique reached its zenith in this specific work.
The painting features the iconic fashion designer Ossie Clark and the textile designer Celia Birtwell in their Notting Hill apartment. It was a period when Hockney was moving away from the flatter, more stylized aesthetic of his early 1960s pop art toward a heightened, luminous naturalism. This transition allowed him to explore the psychological depth of his subjects, making the connection between David Hockney, Ossie, and Celia one of the most studied relationships in modern art history.
The Story Behind the Masterpiece: Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell
Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell were the 'it-couple' of the London fashion scene during the late 60s and early 70s. Clark was the brilliant tailor whose bias-cut dresses defined an era, while Birtwell was the visionary behind the prints that adorned them. Hockney, a close friend of the pair, served as the best man at their wedding. This personal proximity allowed him to capture a level of candidness that a traditional commission might lack.
The painting is famous for its subversion of traditional gender roles in portraiture. Conventionally, the male subject is depicted standing (symbolizing action and authority) while the female is seated. In the world of David Hockney, Ossie and Celia are presented in reverse: Celia stands with her hand on her hip, luminous and dominant, while Ossie slouches in a chair, his bare feet buried in the shag rug. This composition hints at the shifting power dynamics of the era and perhaps foreshadows the eventual dissolution of their marriage.
Compositional Mastery and Light
Art historians frequently point to the window as the central protagonist of the work. The light flooding in from the balcony creates a backlighting effect that was notoriously difficult to achieve with acrylics—a medium Hockney was mastering at the time. The contrast between the bright London exterior and the cool, shaded interior creates a sense of stillness that is almost palpable.
The presence of 'Percy' (who was actually one of their cats named Blanche, but Hockney preferred the name Percy for the title) adds a layer of symbolic mystery. The cat sits rigidly on Ossie’s lap, looking away from the viewer toward the window, embodying the cool detachment that characterizes much of Hockney’s Californian and London domestic scenes of the early 70s.
Cultural Significance and the Tate Legacy
Since its acquisition by the Tate in 1971, the portrait has become one of the most visited works in the gallery’s collection. It represents a pinnacle of the British figurative tradition, bridging the gap between the classical European portrait and the vibrant energy of the 20th-century avant-garde. For enthusiasts of David Hockney, Ossie and Celia remains the ultimate example of how art can document social history through the lens of personal friendship.
The painting also highlights Hockney's obsession with the 'double portrait.' He found that depicting two people provided a narrative tension that a single subject could not achieve. The space between Ossie and Celia is as important as the figures themselves—a void filled with unspoken history and the quiet hum of a domestic afternoon.
Collecting Hockney: From Postcards to Fine Art Prints
For many art lovers, owning a piece of this history begins with high-quality reproductions. Hockney himself has always been a proponent of making art accessible, from his early etchings to his later iPad drawings. Whether through a curated pack of postcards or a large-scale acrylic print, the imagery of David Hockney, Ossie, and Celia continues to inspire interior designers and art collectors who value the intersection of fashion history and fine art.
In conclusion, the enduring appeal of David Hockney’s Ossie and Celia lies in its ambiguity. It is a beautiful image of two beautiful people, yet it possesses a haunting quality that suggests the complexities of human connection. It remains a testament to Hockney’s status as a master of the modern gaze, turning a simple domestic scene into an eternal icon of British culture.
Frequently Asked Questions about David Hockney’s Ossie and Celia
Who are the people in the David Hockney Ossie and Celia painting?
The subjects are the famous British fashion designer Ossie Clark and his wife, textile designer Celia Birtwell. They were key figures in the London 'Swinging Sixties' fashion scene and close friends of David Hockney.
Why is the cat called Percy in the title?
Interestingly, the cat in the painting was actually named Blanche. Hockney chose to use the name 'Percy' (another of the couple's cats) for the title because he felt it sounded better and added a certain rhythmic quality to the name Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy.
Where can I see the original painting today?
The original painting is part of the permanent collection at Tate Britain in London. It is widely considered one of the gallery's most popular and iconic works of 20th-century art.
What art movement does this painting belong to?
While Hockney is often associated with Pop Art, this specific work belongs to his 'naturalistic' period of the late 60s and early 70s. It focuses on realistic proportions, complex lighting, and psychological depth.
How large is the original 'Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy'?
The painting is a significant scale, measuring approximately 213.4 cm by 304.8 cm (roughly 7 by 10 feet), which contributes to its immersive and life-like presence.
