DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)

In 1985, Hockney was invited by the editor of French Vogue to design its December-January issue. Hockney devised this issue to be a lesson in perspective, illustrated with photo-collages inspired by cubism. Taking his cue from traditional fashion magazine covers featuring the face of a beautiful woman, Hockney painted a portrait of his friend and muse Celia Birtwell. Executed in the style of Picasso, and illustrated obliquely on the cover so that the edges of the canvas are visible, Birtwell's exaggerated features and brightly coloured green-mascara eyes and red lips fulfilled the essential function of a cover, to ensure that the magazine would stand-out on display on the Paris newsstands. One of Hockney's favourite paintings, Painted Lady was stolen in 1987 and has never resurfaced.