Who Was David Hockney? About the British Artist Following His Death at 88
David Hockney, one of Britain's most influential contemporary artists, died at age 88. Learn more about his life, career and artistic legacy.
FrankLin
The art world is mourning the loss of David Hockney, one of Britain’s most celebrated and influential artists. Hockney died at age 88, with his publicist, Erica Bolton, confirming on Friday that he passed away peacefully at his home. Known for his vibrant paintings, iconic swimming pool scenes and groundbreaking experiments with photography and digital art, Hockney helped shape contemporary art over a career that spanned more than six decades.
Learn more about the legendary artist, his most famous works and the legacy he leaves behind.
Who Was David Hockney?
Hockney was a British painter, photographer, printmaker and digital artist who became one of the most influential figures in contemporary art. Born in Bradford, England, on July 9, 1937, he rose to prominence in the 1960s as part of the British Pop Art movement before gaining international acclaim for his colorful depictions of California life, portraits and innovative use of new technologies.
Over a career spanning more than six decades, Hockney worked across painting, photography, stage design and digital media, cementing his reputation as one of the world’s most celebrated artists
How Did David Hockney Die?
Hockney died on June 11, 2026, at the age of 88. His death was confirmed by his publicist who said in a statement that the artist “passed away peacefully at home” one month before his 89th birthday. A specific cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
David Hockney standing in front of his “Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)” painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA, 20 November 2017. The Museum is dedicating a large retrospective to the work of Hockney, which spans almost 60 years. Photo: Johannes Schmitt-Tegge/dpa (Photo by Johannes Schmitt-Tegge/picture alliance via Getty Images)
What Are David Hockney’s Most Famous Works?
Hockney was best known for paintings including A Bigger Splash (1967), Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)(1972), Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy, American Collectors (Fred and Marcia Weisman) and Peter Getting Out of Nick’s Pool.
His bright swimming pool paintings, inspired by Southern California, became some of the most recognizable images in modern art. In 2018, Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) sold for more than $90 million at auction, setting a record at the time for a living artist.
What Was David Hockney’s Net Worth?
Hockney had an estimated net worth of $200 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Was David Hockney Married?
No, Hockney was never married. He was openly gay throughout much of his career and was known for incorporating LGBTQ+ themes into his work long before homosexuality was widely accepted in Britain. His personal life and relationships often influenced his art.
