David Hockney’s Pool Splash Hits a Cool £23.1 Million
In a glittering drop of art money, Sotheby’s showcased “The Splash”—Hockney’s iconic 1966 acrylic captured at the precise instant water teases an eager eye. It sold for a jaw‑dropping £23.1 million (≈ S$41 million) at a London auction, smashing the pre‑sale bubble of £20‑30 million.
Why the Splash Is a Big Deal
- It’s a square canvas that freezes a fleeting, two‑second splash right after a diver cuts through the calm—like a silent movie starring liquid.
- Hockney, then 82, painted it during his LA days, when the city’s pool culture was his muse.
- The angled board and splash composition were sparked by a Hollywood magazine photo on pool design—a prime example of art meeting pop‑culture.
- In 1976, the artist quipped, “I love painting a two‑second event that takes two weeks to render.” Talk about letting imagination do the heavy lifting.
“The Splash” Is Part of a Trilogy
It follows A Little Splash (private collection) and A Bigger Splash (Tate Britain). The last time this piece buzzed at auction—in 2006—it fetched a modest £2.9 million.
The Pop Icon That Dazzles
Emma Baker, head of Sotheby’s contemporary evening sale, called it “an icon of Pop that defined an era and gave LA a visual identity.” Wrap that up in a splash of color!
Hockney’s Other Big Wins
In 2018 a 1972 portrait titled “Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)” sold for a staggering US$90.3 million (≈ S$125 million) at Christie’s in New York, setting a record for a living artist on the auction block.
A Splash of Legacy
If you’re ever in a pool, picture Hockney’s brushwork and you’ll feel the splash’s electric energy—even one that took him weeks to capture. The art world is sure to keep splashing for years to come.
