David Hockney, the renowned British artist whose work has commanded record-breaking prices in the art market, amassed a significant private collection featuring works by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. This collection, which has been valued at around £100 million, was in part acquired through exchanges with Warhol, according to Richard Dupont, a longtime friend of the American pop artist.

Dupont, who met Hockney in 1979 through Warhol, recalled that the two artists had an ongoing artistic relationship dating back to 1974 when they painted portraits of each other. Hockney was known to have several Warhol pieces in his possession. While Hockney’s own artworks often fetched far higher prices—his "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)" sold for $90.3 million at Christie’s New York in 2018, setting a record for a living artist—his personal collection held noteworthy significance.

Interest in Hockney’s work continues to grow. Recently, one of his paintings sold for $8.5 million at the Art Basel fair in Switzerland, and an iPad sketch made $650,000. The fair’s artistic director, Vincenzo de Bellis, described the atmosphere surrounding Hockney’s art as “very buzzy.” The value and importance of his collection also raised concerns during the devastating Los Angeles wildfires last year, prompting Hockney to consider relocating the artworks to storage in Chicago for safekeeping.

Despite his substantial wealth, Hockney reportedly resisted selling many of his own works, citing the income he generated from online print sales and museum gift shops. Details of his estate, which has ignited speculation, are expected to emerge with the release of his will.

Hockney’s personal life, marked by close and long-term relationships, has also drawn public attention. During his relationship with chef John Fitzherbert, which lasted 23 years, Hockney employed several household assistants, including JP, who is believed to be a primary beneficiary of the artist’s estate. In 2013, a tragic episode occurred when Hockney’s assistant Dominic Elliott died by ingesting drain cleaner at Hockney’s home in Bridlington. The coroner ruled the death accidental, with no suspicious circumstances. Following the incident, Fitzherbert sought rehabilitation, and subsequently, Hockney and JP moved to Los Angeles. After Hockney and Fitzherbert ended their relationship, JP became Hockney’s partner until Fitzherbert’s death a few years ago.

An early pioneer in openly representing gay life through his art, Hockney came out as gay in 1960 while studying at the Royal College of Art, several years before homosexuality was decriminalized in Britain. After relocating to Los Angeles in 1964, his work frequently explored themes of gay identity and life, making him one of the first prominent artists to do so.

Hockney purchased a Malibu property in 1978 for $118,000, transforming it into a vibrant home with vividly painted walls and a swimming pool adorned with blue swirls. The estate, located near Mulholland Drive in Nichols Canyon, is now valued at several million dollars, with the artist’s unique touches enhancing its cultural and monetary worth.

Friends and acquaintances remember Hockney for his charm and enduring influence. Despite the personal tragedies he endured, his legacy as an artist is celebrated worldwide, with his financial worth estimated in the hundreds of millions. Yet those closest to him emphasize that his true value lies beyond monetary measures.