David Hockney’s “Beverly Hills Housewife” is a prominent piece of his California Dreaming series. The acrylic on canvas diptych measures 72 x 144 inches, and depicts the philanthropist Betty Freeman standing on her patio, overlooking the West Coast’s idyllic landscape. Painted in 1966-1967, this artwork remains an iconic representation of Hockney’s early works after he moved to Los Angeles in 1964.
This visually striking piece captures the true essence of California’s visuals as part of Hockney’s renowned California Dreaming series. When Freeman bought this painting upon its completion, it became one of the central pieces in her collection until her own passing. Moreover, art enthusiasts consider this artwork a masterpiece that combines both elegance and artistic depth.
The diptych changed hands at Christie’s New York Auction in 2009 for USD 12,282,500 implying how acclaimed it had been over time since David Hockney rose to fame as an artist known for capturing life in Southern California owing to his strong interest in expressionism that contributed to making him one of the most valued painters from Britain who gained worldwide recognition as an influential figure during Los Angeles’ pop art movement.
