David Hockney, the towering figure of British painting whose career spanned six decades, has died. The artist studied at the Royal College of Art in 1959 and soon moved to Los Angeles, where he created iconic works such as *A Bigger Splash* (1967) and *Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)* (1972), the latter becoming the most expensive artwork by a living artist sold at auction in 2018. Hockney continually embraced new technology, from photo collage in the 1980s to iPad paintings in the 2000s, and maintained a prolific output of over 400 solo shows worldwide.
Hockney’s death marks the end of an era for British and international art. His bold, colorful depictions of California pools, intimate portraits, and landscapes redefined modern painting and made him a household name. His auction record and enduring popularity underscore his influence on both the art market and popular culture, while his restless experimentation with digital tools anticipated the fusion of art and technology that defines much contemporary practice.