David Hockney's Iconic Art: Pools, Seasons, and Portraits in Pictures

David Hockney, who died aged 88, was a leading modern artist known for his diverse works from Yorkshire landscapes to LA scenes and digital portraits, embracing innovation over a 70-year career.

David Hockney: A Modern Art Legend

British artist David Hockney, who has died aged 88, was one of the most influential artists of the modern era.

Over a prolific seven-decade career, he became famous for the variety, depth and innovation of his artworks, which spanned landscapes of his native Yorkshire, sun-drenched paintings of life in Los Angeles, and iPad portraits of friends and family.

English artist David Hockney working in a studio, circa 1967. — Devoted to drawing from an early age, he worked long days in the studio throughout his life

Hockney was lauded for his diverse techniques and embraced digital art in his later years. Below are some examples of his celebrated art and the artist at work.

Winner of this years 1500 first prize in the sixth John Moores Liverpool Exhibition is thirty-year-old David Hockney with his painting 'Peter Getting out of Nick's Pool'. He is pictured with his painting at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, 21st November 1967 — Hockney's unique vision was quickly recognised, and he is pictured here in the 1960s with an award-winning painting called Peter Getting Out of Nick's Pool

Early Dedication and Recognition

Devoted to drawing from an early age, Hockney worked long days in the studio throughout his life, developing a unique vision that was quickly recognised. He is pictured here in the 1960s with an award-winning painting called Peter Getting Out of Nick's Pool.

English artist David Hockney in a studio with some of his work, circa 1967. — Hockney's appearance may have been flamboyant but his work ethic was phenomenal

Although his appearance may have been flamboyant, his work ethic was phenomenal, driving his extensive and varied output.

British and American artists David Hockney (l) and Andy Warhol — The 1960s were a time of pop art and abstract expressionism, although Hockney steered his own singular path through his paintings

Artistic Path Through the 1960s

The 1960s were a time of pop art and abstract expressionism, but Hockney steered his own singular path through his paintings, creating works that stood apart from prevailing trends.

Christopher Furlong/ David Hockney stands in dark clothing in front of 'A bigger splash 1967', one of his most famous paintings — Emigrating to Los Angeles in the 1960s inspired some of his most famous works, including one called A Bigger Splash

Influence of Los Angeles

Emigrating to Los Angeles in the 1960s inspired some of his most famous works, including one called A Bigger Splash, capturing the vibrant light and lifestyle of the city.

Portrait of English artist David Hockney in his Saint Germain studio, Paris, France, 1979. Partially visible behind him a version of his painting, 'My Parents and Myself,' — His family was a recurring theme in his paintings, including this one of his parents

Family and Friends as Recurring Themes

His family was a recurring theme in his paintings, including this one of his parents. Many of his works were of friends as well as family, such as these life portraits.

David Hockney stands in brown trousers, a green cardigan in a gallery. His 'still-life' portraits are hung on the orange walls behind him. — Many of his works were of friends as well as family, such as these life portraits

Life in the Studio and Beyond

In playful mood at his studio in Bayswater, London, in the 1970s, Hockney continued to explore new ideas and techniques.

English pop artist, printmaker, stage designer and photographer David Hockney in his Bayswater studio just after Jonathan Cape published 72 of his drawings in book form. 1971 — In playful mood at his studio in Bayswater, London, in the 1970s

At his Los Angeles home in the 1980s, he is seen in front of some of his paintings, reflecting his ongoing engagement with his art.

Portrait of English painter David Hockney, dressed in a light blue sweatshirt and tan trousers, as he stands in front of a chaise longue in his home, Los Angeles, California, 1987. — At his Los Angeles home in the 1980s in front of some of his paintings

His playful sense of fun is apparent in this photograph titled Man and dog.

David Hockney is holding a brown dog and is wearing a blueish green baseball cap and glasses with spiral designs on them. — Man and dog - his playful sense of fun is apparent in this photograph

Scale and Inspiration

Hockney created some of his works on a monumental scale, including this scene of spring in Woldgate in Yorkshire. He took inspiration from everyday scenes, painting what was around him.

British artist David Hockney poses in front of his painting entitled — Hockney created some of his works on a monumental scale, including this scene of spring in Woldgate in Yorkshire

AP British artist David Hockney poses as he unveils his painting 'Bigger Trees Near Water', the largest painting ever shown at the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition, London, Friday, May 25, 2007. — He took inspiration from everyday scenes, painting what was around him

Embracing Technology

He embraced new technology and used it to create works big and small, including iPad paintings.

David Hockney creating Christmas-themed artwork which is displayed at Battersea Power Station in London. Saturday December 2, 2023. — He embraced new technology and used it to create works big and small

This artwork, called A Year In Normandy, was painted during lockdown, demonstrating his continuous creativity even under restrictions.

AFP via British painter David Hockney poses at the Orangerie museum in Paris, on October 7, 2021, in front of his painting — This artwork, called A Year In Normandy, was painted during lockdown

Thematic Exhibitions and Public Recognition

Card players were the theme of these paintings at an exhibition in London. The scene at the gala opening in 2023 of an exhibition in London is shown here.

David Hockney sits in a brown suit with a red tie. He's in front of his work entitled Card Players (left) and A Bigger Card Players at the launch of an Exhibition of his work called David Hockney: Painting And Photography at Annely Juda Fine Art in central London. — Card players were the theme of these paintings at an exhibition in London

A general view of the atmosphere at the Gala Opening of — This was the scene at the gala opening in 2023 of an exhibition in London

Intimate Portraits and Celebrity Subjects

Not all of his work was huge in scale. He was just as happy making iPad paintings of his favourite trees, or intimate portraits such as this one of Harry Styles.