Mirror

George Tooker

"Mirror" is George Tooker's fourth print and his first attempt at a color lithograph and, at that point, the largest print he had done. The subject was based on an egg tempra he had done in 1962, "Mirror I", the first of a series of 4 temperas done over a period of years. This print was printed with a black stone over a solid ivory stone. Printer Richard Newlin carried the stone back and forth between the artist's studio and San Francisco by plane.

Merry Foresta discussed "Mirror" in her essay in the book "George Tooker", published by David Tunkl Gallery (ISBN: 0-936680-01-8) for an exhibition in 1980.

"The 'Mirror' series is based on 17th Century vanitas paintings. What might be a rather tongue in cheek reinterpretation, instead represents a serious theme for Tooker. The mirror itself is the subject of these works. As a device for light and reflection it becomes a metaphor for reality and illusion. The subjects of beauty, age and death are subtly played upon by Tooker."

It took Tooker a couple of years to be able to translate the color of his paintings to a black and white image that he felt was complete, as with this composition.