How Many Paintings Did David Hockney Paint? Exploring His Massive Legacy

how many paintings did david hockney paint

A definitive total number of paintings by David Hockney is not currently available in a single figure. However, a massive catalogue raisonné is currently in development to document his vast output, which is estimated to include more than 35,000 works spanning his entire prolific career.

The scale of his production is immense. The upcoming catalogue raisonné, a project expected to take fifteen to twenty years, will begin with a volume dedicated specifically to his paintings, anticipated for release in 2026. This monumental task involves the artist himself, his studio assistants, and the trustees of the David Hockney Foundation.

His body of work is characterized by its diversity across multiple media. While the painting volume is the primary focus of the upcoming documentation, his legacy includes:

• Paintings and drawings
• Printmaking and etchings
• Stage designs
• Photography and digital works

how many of his works are in major museum collections

Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)

Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures), David Hockney

The exact number of Hockney's works held in major museum collections is not publicly specified in a single sum. However, the David Hockney Foundation alone owns more than 8,000 works, and his pieces are held in prominent institutions worldwide, reflecting his status as a global art icon.

The market value of his work is well-established through high-profile auction results. In 2018, his piece Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) (1972) sold at Christie’s New York for $90.3 million, including fees. This sale established him as the most expensive living artist at that time.

Collectors often track his market through various tiers:

• Top Tier: High-value works like Afternoon Swimming or rare prints such as Arrival of Spring.
• Mid-Tier: Works from the Moving Focus series, such as Hotel Acatlán: Second Day.
• Entry-Level: Select etchings, prints, and exhibition posters.

does he have a specific count for different periods of his career

There is no official, publicly released breakdown that provides a specific count of works for each distinct period of his career. Instead, his output is categorized by stylistic evolution, ranging from his 1960s Pop Art emergence to his contemporary digital landscape explorations.

His career is defined by significant shifts in medium and subject matter rather than numerical quotas. His evolution includes:

• The 1960s: A rise as a Pop Art icon, featuring works like A Bigger Splash (1966) and explorations of gay love in We Two Boys Together Clinging (1961).
• The 1970s: A period marked by significant portraiture and high-value auction successes.
• Later Years: Experimentation with Polaroid composites, photography, and modern digital landscapes on iPad.

For collectors seeking to acquire his aesthetic, Mus3ums offers museum-quality hand-painted oil reproductions of his iconic styles. We provide 100 percent hand-painted works on premium cotton canvas, ensuring the visible brushstrokes and textures that define his legendary visual language.