David Hockney, the English painter who revived figurative art, died at 88 in London, his publicist Erica Bolton confirming a peaceful passing at his home. Born in Yorkshire’s industrial city of Bradford, Hockney built a reputation after moving to Los Angeles in the 1960s, where his canvases defined Southern California’s visual culture. His influence extended to design, photography and digital media, inspiring generations of creators.

Hockney’s bold, brightly colored figurative works challenged the mid‑century dominance of abstraction and introduced openly gay subject matter, a rarity among mainstream artists. A recent retrospective at the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris closed nine months earlier, yet he kept painting from a wheelchair in his London studio, insisting he would “carry on” despite failing health.

His market presence remains strong; prints and digital reproductions continue to generate sales, while major museums schedule shows that attract record attendance. Collectors value his iconic pool scenes and double portraits, reinforcing demand for narrative painting in an era dominated by conceptual art. Auction results in recent years have pushed his top works above $30 million, underscoring his enduring financial clout.