David Hockney, the British master who painted the sun-drenched dreams of swimming pools and queer desire, died on June 11 at his London home. His works continue to command record prices, with his A Bigger Splash setting auction records, now surpassed only by another living artist.
The most expensive Hockney ever sold was Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures), which fetched $90.3 million in 2018. It depicts one figure gazing at a swimmer beneath the surface, capturing a moment that feels both timeless and fleeting.
Hockney’s most celebrated works include The Splash (1966), sold for £23.2 million, his monumental landscape Nichols Canyon (1980) going for $41 million, the double portrait of Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy (1968) hitting $44.4 million, and Henry Geldzahler and Christopher Scott (1969), sold for £37.7 million.
Hockney’s enduring legacy in the art world is a testament to his ability to explore themes of love, nature, and technology through various mediums. His works continue to inspire new generations, both as paintings and digital compositions on iPads.
