Richard Hamilton

Beatles

2007

© The estate of Richard Hamilton

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Not on display

Artist: Richard Hamilton 1922–2011
Medium: Digital print on paper
Dimensions: 1053 × 758 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Purchased 2007
Reference: P79337

Display caption

Richard Hamilton explored the relationships and distinctions between fine art, product design and popular culture. In 1968 the artist was invited by Paul McCartney to design the sleeve and poster collage pull-out for The Beatles’ ninth album, The Beatles (more commonly known as the ‘White Album’ due to Hamilton’s plain white sleeve design). The resulting poster, originally included with the album, is a printed collage of photographs of John, Paul, George and Ringo, with an initial print run exceeding five million. Hamilton not only uses popular culture as source for the work but he also directly participates with the machinery of production.

Gallery label, September 2018

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