David Hockney’s The Blue Guitar etchings are visually inspired by Picasso and based on Wallace Stevens’ 1936 poem, The Man with the Blue Guitar, which in turn was inspired by Picasso’s 1903 painting, The Old Guitarist. Hockney’s series interprets the poem's themes, aiming to capture the essence of transformations within art and the relationship between reality and imagination. Rather than providing literal illustrations of Stevens’ poem, Hockney’s etchings present various styles of representation juxtaposed, reflected, and dissolved within the same frame.
Hockney’s admiration for Picasso began in 1960 after attending a retrospective at the Tate, which he visited eight times. This deep appreciation influenced his artistic journey. In 1973, following Picasso’s death, Hockney was invited to contribute to a series of prints inspired by Picasso. He traveled to Paris to work with Aldo Crommelynck, Picasso’s master printer, where he learned the sugar lift aquatint technique favored by Picasso. This technique became instrumental in creating the colored etchings for The Blue Guitar series.
In addition to adopting Picasso’s printmaking techniques, Hockney also experimented with Cubist perspectives. This exploration of Cubism would later inform much of his subsequent work, including the Moving Focus series and his photo collages. Hockney's ability to blend elements from various artistic movements and masters showcases his fluency in the languages of style and printmaking, resulting in innovative and personal works. 
By engaging with these diverse influences and techniques, Hockney not only pays homage to his artistic predecessors but also reinvents their approaches to create something entirely new. The Blue Guitar series stands as a testament to his ability to transform inspiration into a unique visual language that reflects both his respect for the past and his drive for innovation.