23 Apr 2025 3 min read

David Hockney | 5 Groundbreaking Moments

David Hockney is a major part of the British and international art scene that has shaped the landscape of contemporary art. With a career spanning seven decades, we take a look at his groundbreaking moments.

David Hockney has opened his biggest ever exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. At 87 years old, he had an active role in every aspect of the exhibition, bringing together more than 400 of his works from 1955 to 2025. As a monumental artist of our lifetime, we take a look at some of his biggest moments.

Record Auction Result

Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures), 1972 | $90,312,500 USD

In November 2018, Christie's New York - Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale realised a staggering $90,312,500 USD. At the time, this was the highest-achieving auction result for a living artist.

Biggest Innovation

Hockney is still curious, inventive, and willing to evolve his practice well into his 70's and 80's. This moment solidified his identity as not just a master painter but a relentless innovator.

Biggest Physical Work

Bigger Trees Near Warter measures in at approximately 12 x 4.5m and consists of 50 canvas panels created with oil paints. Executed in 2007, this piece was originally shown at the Royal Academy of Arts (London) and is now part of the Tate collection.

Biggest Show

Louis Vuitton Foundation

The exhibition, which is being held from 9 April to 31 August 2025, brings together more than 400 of his works (from 1955 to 2025), including paintings from international, institutional, and private collections, as well as works from the artist’s own studio and Foundation.

"This exhibition means an enormous amount because it is the largest exhibition I’ve ever had – 11 rooms in the Fondation Louis Vuitton. Some of the very last paintings I’m working on now will be included in it, and I think it’s going to be very good.”

David Hockney

Biggest U-Turn | Photo Collages

David Hockney was initially hesitant about the limitations of photography, expressing reservations about its static and singular perspective. However, his appreciation for the medium dramatically blossomed after curator Alain Sayag convinced him to present his work in Paris.

Pearblossom Hwy 11-18th April 1986 No1