Picture "Pool made with paper and blue ink for book of paper pools" (1980)

The artist David Hockney (born in 1937 in Bradford, UK) grew up in a working-class family in northern England. The already famous artist came to Los Angeles at the age of 26 and immediately fell in love with the dazzling city. The casualness, the Californian light and the bright colours really inspired him in his work.

Inspired by the never-ending summer on the American West Coast, sunny optimism returned to his previously rather gloomy works and swimming pools became his most important motif. His first "Pool Painting" was created in 1964 after a visit to a wealthy collector. Soon many were to follow and they are still among the artist's most sought-after motifs today. In Hockney's work, the pool subject stands for hedonism, sexual freedom and lust for life. The Briton is one of the most renowned and successful artists worldwide. His works can be found in all important museums of contemporary art. He returned to live and work in England in 2000.