British Master and California Icon Gone

British painter David Hockney, creator of the landmark 1972 oil "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)," died on June 11, 2026 at age 88, one month short of his 89th birthday. He passed away at his residence, his team confirmed. Hockney was surrounded by his partner, Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima, according to reports from the Hollywood Reporter. Associated Press reported his death without specifying a cause.

From Bradford to Los Angeles

Born in Bradford in 1937, Hockney emerged as a defining figure of postwar British art. After moving to Los Angeles in 1964, he launched his legendary California pool series, now among the most recognizable images of the 20th century. Beyond painting, he worked in photography, lithography, and in his final years, digital painting on iPad, producing hundreds of works. He also designed sets for operas at Glyndebourne and New York's Metropolitan Opera.

Record-Breaking Legacy

His masterpiece "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)" sold at Christie's in New York in 2018 for approximately 70 million pounds, a record for a living artist at that time. His work is held by major institutions including Tate Britain, Centre Pompidou, MoMA, Madrid's Reina Sofía National Museum, and the Serpentine Gallery in London.

What Comes Next

Institutions housing his work are preparing formal statements on his legacy. Tributes and retrospectives are expected in the coming weeks at Tate Britain and the Serpentine Gallery, where his digital paintings remain on display. Details about public commemorations and his artistic legacy will be announced in the days ahead.

FAQ

**When did David Hockney die?**

June 11, 2026, at age 88, one month before turning 89, at his residence.

**What is Hockney's most famous work?**

The 1972 oil painting "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)," which sold for approximately 70 million pounds at Christie's New York in 2018, setting a record for a living artist at that time.

**Where can Hockney's work be seen?**

His paintings are held by Tate Britain, Centre Pompidou, MoMA, the Reina Sofía National Museum in Madrid, the Serpentine Gallery in London, and other major international institutions.

Sources