Lithograph of Water made of lines, crayon, and two blue washes without green wash

David Hockney (B. 1937) revolutionized contemporary printmaking through technical innovation and visual experimentation. While renowned for his paintings, Hockney's graphic work forms a crucial dimension of his artistic practice, showcasing his masterful exploration of line, color, and representation.

Hockney's fascination with swimming pools—emblematic of California's leisure culture—reached a significant milestone in his 1978-1980 "Lithograph of Water Made of Lines" series, created in collaboration with master printer Ken Tyler. This groundbreaking series demonstrates Hockney's analytical approach to a visual paradox: how to represent transparent, moving water using only static lines on paper.

The six prints in this series employ curving, parallel lines of varying densities to create the illusion of water's surface movement and transparency. Each print presents a different solution to this representational challenge, from densely packed curvilinear patterns to more minimalist approaches. Hockney's systematic exploration reveals his conceptual rigor beneath seemingly simple imagery.

The series exemplifies Hockney's larger artistic preoccupation with visualization problems and perceptual experience. By reducing water to abstract linear patterns while maintaining its recognizability, Hockney bridges representation and abstraction, demonstrating his unique ability to merge conceptual sophistication with visual pleasure.