David Hockney Lithograph of Water Made of Lines With Two Light Blue Washes (M.C.A.T 206) For Sale

This screenprint is part of a portfolio of 11 lithographs, all depicting the same image, with some more minimalist and abstract than others. This print, created in 1978, belongs to a series that all depict tranquil swimming pool scenes. This collection highlights Hockney's enduring fascination with light, movement, and water. Utilizing a vibrant colour palette, Hockney sought to capture the dynamic and rich qualities of water. However, he acknowledged the challenge of portraying water's fleeting nature, stating that it was no easy task: “It is a formal problem to represent water, to describe water, because it can be anything. It can be any colour, it’s movable, and it has no set visual description.” Undulating blue lines dance across the swimming pool, much like the way sunlight dances on the surface of water. This mimicking of the gentle movement of water is captured beautifully through Hockney’s use of lithography as a medium.

 Seeking refuge from the dreariness of post-war London, Hockney relocated to Los Angeles in 1964. The young artist was swiftly captivated by the city, particularly by the abundance of swimming pools adorning the city, saying ‘I instinctively knew I was going to like it. And as I flew over San Bernardino and saw the swimming pools and the houses and everything and the sun, I was more thrilled than I have ever been in arriving in any city.’ Frome Hockney’s perspective these pools symbolized both luxury and leisure, embodying the quintessential Californian lifestyle.

Whilst Hockney is associated with the Pop Art movement, this portfolio transcends categorisation. Although the bright colours and simplistic shapes and forms of the swimming pool and diving board are reminiscent of a Pop Art style, the intricate detailing of crosshatching and wiggling lines within the water, as well as the exploration of the natural environment suggest a somewhat deeper exploration beyond the usual themes of Pop Art used by Hockney’s contemporaries, such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.