RIP David Hockney

RIP David Hockney, 1937-2026

David Hockney, a prolific giant of the last century, died yesterday at 88. I will leave others with greater expertise to unpack Hockney’s bearing on the (so-called) art world. I do know that people reacted with real emotion to his paintings and drawings. I saw that firsthand on the few occasions I was lucky enough to see a Hockney hanging in a gallery. Below is a slim sample of Hockney’s work, spanning seven decades; it includes a study for his 1973 piece Sun. About ten years ago, I was thrilled to find a large exhibition print of Sun at an estate sale. It’s been hanging on my office wall ever since. I look at it when I feel frustration or anger and it brings me a little ease.

After Blake: Less Is Known Than People Think, 2024
4 Blue Stools, 2014
Arranged Felled Trees, 2008
12 Portraits after Ingres in a Uniform Style, 1999-2000
Slow Rise, 1993
Mum, 1988-1989
Seeing and Blind Masks IV (from Oedipus Rex), 1981
Looking at Pictures on a Screen, 1977
Study for Sun (II), from The Weather Series, 1973
The Enchantress with Baby Rapunzel from Illustrations for Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm, 1969
Portrait of Nick Wilder, 1966
Domestic Scene, Notting Hill, 1963
Doll Boy, 1960-1961

My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean — David Hockney

My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, 1962 by David Hockney (b. 1937)

He Enquired after the Quality — David Hockney

He Enquired after the Quality, 1966 by David Hockney (b. 1937)

Connoisseur — David Hockney

Connoisseur, 1969 by David Hockney (b. 1937)

My Parents — David Hockney

My Parents 1977 by David Hockney born 1937

My Parents, 1977 by David Hockney (b. 1937)

Mr. and Mrs. Clark and Percy — David Hockney