Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)

Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) is a 1972 painting by British artist David Hockney. It is one of his well-known works, depicting a scene influenced by his time in California. The painting features a standing figure and a figure submerged in a pool, with the title alluding to the artist himself and his former partner, Peter Schlesinger, who is the model for the standing figure.1

Hockney's work from this period, including this painting, is characterized by its focus on light, experimentation with media, and a realistic style influenced by Pop art and photography. The painting captures a sense of casual elegance and tranquil luminosity, typical of Hockney's style during his time in Los Angeles. In 2018, this artwork sold for approximately $90 million, setting a record for a living artist at the time.1