David Hockney is one of the most influential British contemporary artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, renowned for his vibrant use of colour, innovative techniques, and continual reinvention. His work spans painting, printmaking, photography, and digital drawing, with his celebrated iPad drawings pushing the boundaries of what art can be in the digital age. From his iconic pool paintings to his pencil sketches and monumental landscapes, Hockney’s art reflects both a mastery of tradition and a bold embrace of the new. Explore our collection of David Hockney artworks for sale, offering collectors and investors the chance to own a piece of this modern master’s enduring legacy.
About David Hockney
Born in Bradford, England in 1937, David Hockney studied at the Royal College of Art, where he quickly established himself as part of the British Pop Art movement. His early works drew on bold colour palettes and simplified forms, influenced by fauvism and modernism, yet always with his distinct voice.
Hockney became internationally known in the 1960s for his sun-drenched California pool paintings, which captured a sense of leisure, light, and modern life. Over the decades, he has remained a restless innovator, experimenting with photography, printmaking, stage design, and digital technologies. Notable exhibitions include his retrospectives at the Tate Britain, Centre Pompidou, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, each solidifying his reputation as one of the most important artists of our time.
Iconic Series and Artworks
Among David Hockney’s most celebrated works are his iPad drawings, including The Arrival of Spring (2011), a series that redefined what drawing could be in the digital age. Using the immediacy of the touchscreen, Hockney captured fleeting changes in light, colour, and season with a freshness that felt both experimental and timeless. These works reflect his enduring fascination with nature and the passage of time, while proving that technology can sit seamlessly within the tradition of draftsmanship.
Equally iconic are his pool paintings, such as The Splash (1966) and A Bigger Splash (1967). These works, with their bold colours and sharp geometry, have become some of the most recognisable images in post-war British art. They epitomise Hockney’s fascination with Los Angeles, its modernist architecture, and the allure of sunlit suburban life.
Hockney’s portraiture adds another vital dimension to his oeuvre. Works such as Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) (1972), which broke records at auction in 2018, combine his exploration of poolside settings with psychological intensity, capturing moments of intimacy and narrative tension. Meanwhile, My Parents (1977), now held in the Tate collection, reflects his ability to portray tenderness, detail, and domestic familiarity, elevating the everyday to the monumental.
Beyond these highlights, Hockney’s pencil drawings, etchings, and prints have long been an important part of his practice, offering collectors more accessible entry points into his market. His large-scale Yorkshire landscapes, painted in vivid colour, connect his global perspective back to his English roots, showing his versatility across subject matter and medium. Together, these bodies of work demonstrate his unique ability to merge tradition with innovation, always inviting viewers to see the world anew
Artistic Techniques and Themes
David Hockney’s oeuvre is characterised by a constant experimentation with mediums and an audacious use of colour that marks his work with instant recognition. From the flat, bright colours of his first Pop Art paintings to the layered mark-making of his Yorkshire landscapes, Hockney has always been a transgressor of traditional art forms. He has worked in painting, drawing, print, photography, stage set, and, most recently, digital with his popular iPad drawings. Light, space, and perception are constant themes throughout his work and are no doubt inspired by his lifelong interest in technology and how it might expand the possibilities of seeing. While much of his work can be categorised by their subjects of portrait, landscape, or still life, the way he presents these subjects is decidedly unconventional, whether it is the glittering stillness of a California swimming pool, the intimate contemplation of subjects in a double portrait, or the circular regeneration of nature in his studies of the changing seasons. Fundamentally, Hockney’s art is an ongoing investigation of how we do, and want to experience, the world, merging technological invention with a deeply human investigation of what he sees.
Art Market and Investment
David Hockney’s works are among the most desirable in the global art market, consistently achieving record-breaking results. In 2018, his painting Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) sold for $90.3 million at Christie’s, making it at the time the most expensive work by a living artist ever sold at auction. His prints and editions are also highly sought after, with The Arrival of Spring prints and iPad drawings achieving strong results, reflecting the demand across all levels of his practice.
Hockney’s market appeal lies not only in his critical and institutional recognition but also in his broad cultural resonance. For investors, his limited editions and prints offer accessible entry points, while his originals continue to demonstrate significant long-term value. With a career spanning over six decades and an ever-evolving practice, Hockney’s art remains a strong and secure investment.
Authenticity and Provenance
When collecting David Hockney’s artworks, ensuring authenticity is essential. Most of his editions are signed and numbered by the artist, while unique works are supported by gallery-issued certificates of authenticity. Trusted sources include his representing galleries, such as Annely Juda Fine Art and L.A. Louver, as well as established auction houses.
At FairArt, every Hockney artwork we offer is carefully verified, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity where applicable, and backed by our FairArt guarantee. Collectors and investors can purchase with confidence knowing their acquisition has been thoroughly vetted for provenance and originality. For any queries, please contact us at support@fairart.io.