Mr. Arithmetic (1980) is a gouache work on paper by David Hockney featuring a character from the French opera, L enfant et les sortileges. In 1980–81, David Hockney designed the sets and costumes for three operas including this fairy tale opera, performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. The story-line follows a child who is reprimanded by the objects in his room which he has been destroying, with Mr. Arithmetic as the personification of the child's torn homework book. This work on paper is saturated with luscious green, with a detail of the window and curtain breaking up the dense green composition with pinkish purple. Mr. Arithmetic or the 'Little Old Man' as he is also known, marches across the paper, ruler in hand and pi formulating his clothing.It is signed on the lower right, featuring Museo Tamayo, Andrew Emmerich Gallery, stickers on verso. Provenance as follows: Andre Emmerich Gallery, Inc., New York: Private Collection, New York: Private Collection, Dubai. Also Exhibited at: “Hockney Paints the Stage.” Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; Museo Tamayo, Mexico City, November 1983–April 1984, cat. no. 196. Last sold for $75,000usd.

This work is in very good condition overall. The sheet is hinged on the reverse to the backing board at the top two corners.

35 x 42 cm