David Hockney Swimming Pools Lithographic Water Made Of Lines

David Hockney's "Lithographic Water Made of Lines" (1980)

Medium: Lithograph on paper
Dimensions: 74cm x 87cm / 29" x "34
Series: Published as part of the "Paper Pools" series

David Hockney’s Lithographic Water Made of Lines is a mesmerizing exploration of light, motion, and the fluidity of water rendered through a medium rooted in precision. Created in 1980, this work exemplifies Hockney’s fascination with the interplay between natural phenomena and artistic abstraction. As part of his renowned swimming pool series, the lithograph is a testament to his innovative techniques in capturing water's shimmering, ever-changing qualities.

The title itself—Water Made of Lines—speaks to Hockney’s approach of deconstructing and reconstructing water’s essence. Employing finely drawn, rhythmic linear patterns, the piece simulates the reflective ripples and depth of a swimming pool’s surface. These lines interact to create a sense of movement and dimensionality, illustrating Hockney’s masterful ability to evoke texture and transparency in a medium that is inherently static.

The swimming pool, a recurring subject in Hockney’s oeuvre, represents a fusion of leisure, sensuality, and the California lifestyle that he embraced in the 1960s and 70s. This lithograph distills those themes into a poetic study of visual harmony. The choice of lithography as a medium—a labor-intensive process requiring meticulous layering—mirrors the complexity of water itself.

Hockney’s Lithographic Water Made of Lines continues to captivate audiences not only for its technical brilliance but also for its ability to evoke a meditative calm. It remains a landmark in his body of work and an enduring contribution to contemporary art’s exploration of natural elements.