Legendary British artist David Hockney, celebrated for his vibrant use of colour and iconic works such as A Bigger Splash, has died peacefully at his home at the age of 88, his publicist confirmed.
Final Days Confirmed by Family Statement
A statement released on Friday (June 12) announced: "The celebrated British artist David Hockney, one of the most important figures in contemporary art in both the 20th and 21st centuries, passed away peacefully at home on 11 June 2026, one month short of his 89th birthday."
The statement added: "David Hockney's enduring legacy reflects his underlying enthusiasm for life, his outstanding sense of humour, his immense generosity, and his investigative curiosity encapsulated by his signature phrase, Love Life. Details of memorials will follow in due course."
A Prolific Career Spanning Decades
Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, on July 9, 1937, Hockney became one of Britain's most distinguished artists, producing work across various materials for more than 60 years. He was perhaps best known for his 1967 painting A Bigger Splash, which depicts a bright California day alongside a Los Angeles swimming pool.
Hockney moved from the UK to Los Angeles in 1964, where he abandoned oil paints in favour of vivid acrylics, earning widespread acclaim through his iconic swimming pool series. In 2018, his painting Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) sold for 90 million dollars (£70 million) at auction in New York, shattering the previous record for a work by a living artist.
Later Years and Legacy
When the Covid-19 pandemic arrived in 2020, Hockney withdrew to a remote farmhouse in Normandy, where he established a studio. With characteristic audacity, he also championed the merits of his cherished smoking habit, suggesting it might protect against the illness.
At age 87, the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris mounted the most extensive exhibition of his artwork to date, with over 450 pieces—the majority from the previous 25 years—occupying the entire museum. His health, however, had severely deteriorated by then, requiring continuous nursing supervision.
Hockney is survived by his partner and a vast body of work that continues to inspire generations. His publicist requested privacy for the family during this time.
