Rare and Exclusive

David Hockney, Lithograph of Water Made of Thick and Thin Lines and Two Light Blue Washes, 1978-80

Sale price£155,000
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"It is an interesting formal problem; it is a formal problem to represent water, to describe water, because it can be anything. It can be any colour and it has no set visual description”

About the edition

As with the other Lithograph Of Water and Pool II-B here Hockney presents us with a scene of a diving board stretching out over an empty pool. As the title suggests this is more a study of water than a pool scene and yet the board adds an important element of contrast in its solidity, to the transparency and ineffability of the water below it. Here Hockney adds a dark blue wash to the water, as in his other representations of pools, along with the squiggly lines which add movement and dynamism to the body of water, and which he would eventually make a permanent feature of his own pool by painting them directly onto its bottom in waterproof paint. Again the pool tiles are still visible as the water does not become a solid mass as in perhaps Hockney’s most famous pool, A Bigger Splash.

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About the edition

As with the other Lithograph Of Water and Pool II-B here Hockney presents us with a scene of a diving board stretching out over an empty pool. As the title suggests this is more a study of water than a pool scene and yet the board adds an important element of contrast in its solidity, to the transparency and ineffability of the water below it. Here Hockney adds a dark blue wash to the water, as in his other representations of pools, along with the squiggly lines which add movement and dynamism to the body of water, and which he would eventually make a permanent feature of his own pool by painting them directly onto its bottom in waterproof paint. Again the pool tiles are still visible as the water does not become a solid mass as in perhaps Hockney’s most famous pool, A Bigger Splash.

Get in touch

David Hockney's Swimming Pools - Breaking Records

The pinnacle of David Hockney's auction success was marked by the sale of his iconic 1972 masterpiece, "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)" which achieved a record-breaking price of $90.3 million in a November 2018 Christie's auction in New York. This result broke records, becoming one of the most expensive works of art by a living artist sold at auction. The record-setting sale underscores the enduring allure of Hockney's work and is indicative of the profound impact of his swimming pool motif.

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David Hockney's Swimming Pools - Breaking Records

The pinnacle of David Hockney's auction success was marked by the sale of his iconic 1972 masterpiece, "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)" which achieved a record-breaking price of $90.3 million in a November 2018 Christie's auction in New York. This result broke records, becoming one of the most expensive works of art by a living artist sold at auction. The record-setting sale underscores the enduring allure of Hockney's work and is indicative of the profound impact of his swimming pool motif.

Find out more

David Hockney's Personal Life

As an openly gay artist, David Hockney's life and work have also intersected with LGBTQ+ activism, making him not only a cultural icon but also a pioneer in shaping the trajectory of modern art.

Swimming Pools in Print

There are 11 versions of Hockney's swimming pool lithographs, each title starting with 'Lithograph of Water...' and created between 1978 and 1980. Iconic and classic contemporary art, they are considered a must-have for all serious print collections, and are now included in the permanent collection of many private and public institutions around the world.

David Hockney in LA

Hockney moved to LA in 1964, in search of the sharp light and shadows he had seen in Hollywood movies as a student. Comparing the move to ‘Van Gogh going to Arles’, Hockney sought to escape what he saw as the greyness of post-war England and immediately fell in love with LA’s many swimming pools.

Find out more about Hockney's Swimming Pools

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David Hockney | Lougher Contemporary
David Hockney

The significance of David Hockney's Swimming Pools

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of David Hockney's swimming pool works. Explore their significance, and the allure behind these captivating aquatic scenes. Dive into the essence of Hockney's ...

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