David Hockney, the celebrated British painter known for his vibrant depictions of Los Angeles swimming pools, Yorkshire landscapes, and iPad drawings, has died at the age of 88. The Financial Times obituary traces his career from his early days at the Royal College of Art through his move to California, where he created iconic works such as *A Bigger Splash* and *Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)*, to his later experiments with digital media in Normandy.
Hockney's death marks the end of an era for one of the most widely beloved and commercially successful artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. His ability to blend technical virtuosity with a democratic, accessible approach to art—embracing everything from photocollages to iPhone drawings—made him a rare figure who bridged critical acclaim and popular appeal, influencing generations of artists and reshaping how painting engages with modern visual culture.