The Beverly Hills Housewife - Hockney's Californian Muse and the World Beyond the Pool

Beverly Hills Housewife tells the story behind David Hockney’s portrait of art collector Betty Freeman, while also painting a vivid picture of 1960s Los Angeles. When Hockney visited Freeman in 1966 to paint her swimming pool, he instead became fascinated by her as a person and made her the subject of one of his most iconic works.

Author James Cahill explores both Hockney's artistic development and Freeman's journey from pianist to photographer, philanthropist, and influential art collector. The book combines art history and personal narratives to illuminate the relationship between artist and muse, as well as the friendship that came to shape them both.