David Hockney, the influential British painter known for his vibrant pool scenes and relentless exploration of painting and new technologies, has died at the age of 88. Born in Bradford in 1937, he studied at the Royal College of Art in London and became a key figure in the British Pop Art movement. His career took him from London 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 selling for $90.3 million at Christie's in 2018, briefly making him the most expensive living artist. Throughout his life, Hockney traveled widely, absorbing landscapes and light from around the world.
Hockney's death marks the end of an era for contemporary art. He was not only a master of color and composition but also a pioneer who embraced new technologies, from Polaroid cameras to digital drawing tools, while remaining deeply committed to traditional painting. His open homosexuality and bold personal style made him a cultural icon, and his work continues to influence generations of artists. The sale of his pool painting for a record price underscored his enduring market appeal and his status as one of the most significant artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.