David Hockney, the British painter whose vivid landscapes and portraits defined a generation, was remembered in a private ceremony at the Royal Academy of Arts on Tuesday. The event, attended by fewer than 50 guests, reflected the artist's known preference for intimacy over spectacle. Hockney died last week at the age of 87.
The ceremony, closed to the press, was described by attendees as a 'quiet tribute' to a man who revolutionised British painting with his bold use of colour and perspective. Hockney's work, from his California swimming pools to his Yorkshire landscapes, commanded prices in the tens of millions. Yet those close to him insisted on a modest final act.
The Royal Academy, where Hockney had exhibited for decades, released a brief statement acknowledging his 'immeasurable contribution' to the arts. No public memorial is planned. The artist's estate confirmed that his ashes will be interred in his native Bradford.
The low-key farewell, a stark contrast to the spectacle often associated with his career, underscored Hockney's enduring belief in the primacy of the work over the artist.