David Hockney at the Fondation Louis Vuitton: A Unique Immersion into His Universe

It’s rare for an exhibition to capture the full essence of an artist on such a grand scale. From April 9 to August 31, 2025, the Fondation Louis Vuitton invites visitors to embark on a fascinating journey through 70 years of David Hockney’s creations, featuring more than 400 works, some of which have never been exhibited before. Among this impressive selection, several pieces stood out to me personally.

Iconic Works Across the Decades

From the very first rooms, the retrospective transports us back to Hockney’s early years, between Bradford and London, where he explores intimate family themes with Portrait of My Father (1955). This painting, though modest in size (50.8 x 40.6 cm), reveals a profound sensitivity, delicately capturing his father’s face with a vibrant touch.

Then, the California sunlight takes center stage with two iconic pieces:

• A Bigger Splash (1967, 242.5 x 243.9 cm): A true pop art icon, this painting showcases a dazzling blue pool under an unforgiving sun. The unseen diver, frozen in the instant of impact, creates a fascinating silent narrative.

• Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) (1972, 213.36 x 304.8 cm): One of Hockney’s most poignant works, depicting a moment of enigmatic tension between two figures beside a shimmering pool. The aquatic element becomes the stage for an emotional interplay between abstraction and realism.

A Digital Revolution and a Burst of Color

With 220 for 2020, David Hockney proves that his art continues to evolve. This collection, created on iPad and printed in large format, celebrates the Normandy landscape through the changing seasons. In Gallery 5, the monumental installation of 27th March 2020, No. 1 (364.1 x 521.4 cm) envelops visitors in a chromatic symphony where vivid greens blend with vibrant skies.

A Dialogue with Art History

The exhibition also reveals the influence of masters such as Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Picasso, notably in a dedicated space where visitors are invited to wander among classical references and contemporary reinterpretations.

David Hockney shares: “This exhibition is the largest I’ve ever had. Some of my latest paintings will be on display. I think it’s going to be great.”

Upon leaving the final room, dedicated to his recent London creations, one can’t help but be struck by the power of an artist constantly reinventing himself, through time and technology.