Artist Richard Hamilton – the inventor of pop art – has died at the age of 89.
The British artist was credited with creating the first example of pop art with his 1956 collage Just What Is It That Makes Today's Homes So Different, So Appealing? showing a bodybuilder holding a lolly with the word POP on it.
Hamilton designed the plain white cover for the Beatles' White Album in 1968.
Speaking of the album, Hamilton said: "I thought it would be appropriate to present an album that was just white. Paul was doubtful about it being completely empty so I suggested that it would be fun to number each copy so that it would have the appearance of being a limited edition. I asked how many copies the band expected to sell, and they said about eight million. I made a quick calculation that we would need seven digits."
He also painted Swingeing London which depicted Rolling Stone's Mick Jagger hiding his face in the back of a police car after a drugs raid by police.
Hamilton had been ill before he died yesterday (Tuesday). He leaves behind wife Rita and son Rod.
Gallery owner Larry Gagosian, who represented the artist, told Press Association: "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."
