Portrait

1963–1964

Moving to Los Angeles

Hockney moves from Britain to Los Angeles: English Wikipedia gives 1964, Russian Wikipedia 1963 and explains the departure by a more liberal political climate. There he is inspired to paint a series of swimming pools in vibrant acrylic, then a comparatively new medium.

summer 1966

Meeting Peter Schlesinger

While teaching at UCLA, Hockney meets Peter Schlesinger, an art student who poses for paintings and drawings, and the two become romantically involved.

1966–1978

Stage designer: “Ubu Roi” and the Glyndebourne operas

Hockney’s first stage designs are for “Ubu Roi” at London’s Royal Court Theatre (1966), followed by Stravinsky’s “The Rake’s Progress” (1975) and “The Magic Flute” (1978) for the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. It is the start of the opera work that will go on in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and London.

1967 · Distinción

John Moores Painting Prize

from 1968

Double portraits of friends, lovers and relatives

From 1968, and for the next few years, Hockney paints portraits and double portraits of friends, lovers and relatives just under life-size, in a realistic style that adroitly captures the likenesses. He returns to the portrait throughout his career, creating over 300 self-portraits.

27 de junio de 1968 – 6 de octubre de 1968

Exhibition: 4. documenta