Signed (verso)

Image Dimensions: 28 7/8 x 36 1/4 in (73.5 x 92 cm)

This painting comes with COA.

David Hockney is one of the most influential figures in contemporary painting, celebrated for his distinctive exploration of space, color, and modern lifestyle. His swimming pool works, developed during his time in California, represent a defining chapter in his career, capturing light, leisure, and psychological distance.

This composition presents a serene yet subtly complex scene: a swimmer gliding through a clear blue pool, observed by a seated figure at the edge. The relationship between the two figures introduces a quiet narrative tension, balancing movement and stillness.

The composition is precisely structured. The pool occupies the foreground as a geometric plane, while the terrace and seated figure define the right-hand boundary. Beyond, the landscape unfolds into layered hills and vegetation, extending the spatial depth.

Water is the central visual element. Hockney renders its surface through stylized, linear patterns that suggest refraction and movement rather than literal realism. The clarity of the water contrasts with the more static architectural and natural elements.

Color is luminous and controlled. The vibrant blues of the pool dominate the scene, complemented by the greens of the surrounding landscape and the warm tones of the terrace. The red jacket of the seated figure introduces a focal accent that anchors the composition.

Hockney's technique is clean and deliberate. The surfaces are smooth, with minimal visible brushwork, emphasizing clarity and compositional precision. This approach reflects his interest in visual perception and constructed space.

The figures are psychologically distant. The swimmer's motion contrasts with the stillness of the observer, creating a subtle interplay between presence and detachment-a recurring theme in Hockney's work.

Hockney's pool paintings are held in major institutions such as Tate, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Works from the early 1970s, particularly large-scale pool scenes, are among the most sought-after in his market.

In a spatial context, this composition offers both calm and sophistication. Its clarity, color, and balance make it highly suitable for contemporary interiors, where it functions as a refined visual focal point.

Ultimately, this work exemplifies Hockney's ability to transform everyday leisure into a structured and luminous visual experience, where space, light, and human presence are carefully orchestrated.