BUCKINGHAM PALACE APPOINTS DAVID HOCKNEY TO THE ORDER OF MERIT
David Hockney has been appointed to the Order of Merit by the Queen of England, reports Robert Booth of The Guardian. Hockney, who recently refused an invitation to paint the queen, and in 1990 rejected knighthood, is the second painter ever to be added to the order—the other being the late Lucian Freud—which includes no more than twenty-four individuals at a time, all of whom have “achieved distinction in the arts, learning, science, and public service.”
Booth notes that “Hockney’s selection appears to confirm the establishment view that he is now seen as the leading British painter of his day.” On his new appointment, Hockney responded, “No comment. Other than it’s nice to know they are not prejudiced against the older smoker.”
