Pop artist Richard Hamilton dies at 89

Pop art pioneer Richard Hamilton has died at the age of 89, the gallery which represented the artist said today.

Hamilton, famous for his paintings, collages and sculptures, had been ill and died early this morning.

Until just a few days ago, the artist had been working on a major museum retrospective, which was due to travel to Los Angeles, Philadelphia, London and Madrid.

Gallery owner Larry Gagosian said: "This is a very sad day for all of us and our thoughts are with Richard's family, particularly his wife Rita and his son Rod."

The British artist was well-known for his Pop Art collages, including the 1956 work featuring a bodybuilder and entitled Just What Is It That Makes Today's Homes So Different, So Appealing?

Hamilton, who was born in London in February 1922 and studied at the Royal Academy Schools and Slade School of Fine Art, has been dubbed the Father of Pop.

Just What Is It That Makes Today's Homes So Different, So Appealing? is one of his most famous works.

The collage, credited by some as the beginning of English Pop Art, was initially intended as a poster for the exhibition This Is Tomorrow at the Whitechapel Art Gallery in London.

The Gagosian Gallery said the art world had "lost one of its leading figures".

It said: "Hamilton's fascination with the authenticity of the image in contemporary society, and the implication this has in political and moral terms, has held him at the vanguard of modern art.

"His influence on subsequent generations of artists continues to be immeasurable."

PA