Portrait of Mother III, 1985, is the final portrait of David Hockney’s mother created within the Moving Focus series. Unlike the earlier works in the group, this composition is stripped back to a plain background, placing complete focus on the portrait itself. Hockney depicts his mother, Laura, at the centre of the image using delicate yet expressive lines that balance observation with abstraction. Her hair is constructed through loose light blue marks with darker accents, while the face is built from layered shades of pink, red and blue that create a sketch-like yet highly lifelike quality. Bright blue eyes stand out against the warmer tones of the face, drawing attention to her gaze and expression.
The simplified composition allows Hockney’s mark-making and portraiture to take precedence, emphasising character, age and individuality through visible lines and tonal variation. Beneath the portrait, Laura wears a softly outlined jacket rendered in pale blue, with minimal detailing that contrasts against the intensity of the facial features. The work reflects Hockney’s continued exploration of perception and human presence during the mid-1980s, while also conveying a strong sense of intimacy and familiarity.
