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David Hockney's My Pool and Terrace is a vibrant etching and aquatint created in 1983 that reflects the artist's enduring fascination with swimming pools, modern architecture and California living. Published in an edition of 250, the work combines bold linear drawing with flat areas of colour to depict an abstracted poolside setting, complete with geometric terraces, lush planting and Hockney's distinctive use of perspective. Rather than focusing on realism, the composition simplifies architectural forms into clean outlines and expressive shapes, demonstrating Hockney's innovative approach to printmaking.
Created during a period when Hockney continued to experiment with graphic techniques, My Pool and Terrace showcases the precision of etching alongside the tonal richness of aquatint. The carefully balanced composition highlights recurring themes found throughout Hockney's work, including the relationship between nature and architecture, the effects of light and shadow, and the visual appeal of swimming pools as symbols of leisure and modern life. Today, the print is regarded as an important example of Hockney's graphic practice and his lasting influence on contemporary printmaking.