The Fondation Louis-Vuitton in Paris presents a survey of David Hockney’s 70‑year career: over 400 works (oil paintings, iPad drawings, charcoal sketches, video installations, and set designs) across 11 immersive rooms, co‑curated with the artist.
The exhibition unfolds by revisiting Hockney’s early roots: domestic portraits like Portrait of My Father (1955), the sun‑drenched swimming pool scenes (A Bigger Splash, 1967; Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures), 1972), and bold explorations of gay identity and domestic intimacy.
A transformative shift follows as the focus moves to his lyrical landscapes of Yorkshire and Normandy. Standout works include the monumental Bigger Trees near Warter (2007): a vast, multi‑canvas homage to plein air tradition, and the prolific “220 for 2020” series: a collection of iPad drawings capturing the subtle seasonal changes of spring, digitally rendered during lockdown.
The upper galleries elevate the experience, revealing Hockney’s fascination with art history and performance.
Visitors encounter digitally projected opera-set recreations, referencing works like Tristan und Isolde and highlighting his long-standing engagement with theater design. A dedicated segment also showcases recent works inspired by masters such as Blake and Munch, produced since his move to London in 2023.
Critics have described the exhibition as both triumphant and emotionally stirring.
The Guardian noted the immersive experience of the Normandy suite and the opera installations, while Frieze emphasized the joyful world‑building power of Hockney’s drawings and paintings.
David Hockney 25 stands as a monumental testament to an artist who continues to reinvent his medium while retaining a deep emotional connection to memory, place, and performance. This is a rare opportunity to experience the full narrative arc of Hockney’s storytelling vision.