Lucian Freud

by Lawrence Gowing

Examines the development of the painting and drawing of Lucian Freud, discusses his artistic influences, and analyzes his style of portraiture

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Sir Lawrence Gowing (April 21, 1918 - February 05, 1991) was an English artist, writer, curator, and teacher.

Initially recognized as a portrait and landscape painter, he quickly rose to prominence as an art educator, writer, and, eventually, curator and museum trustee. As a student of art history he was largely self-taught.

Sir Lawrence was born Lawrence Burnett Gowing to Horace Gowing, a draper, and his wife, Luisa. Born in Stoke Newington and raised in London, his first painting of note, Mare Street, Hackney, made reference to his father's shop. After attending the Downs School at Colwall, Herefordshire and Leighton Park School, in 1938 he enrolled in the Euston Road School, where he studied with William Coldstream.

He was Principal of the Slade School of Fine Art at University College, London from 1975 to 1985.

Reviews

[Esther]

Collection of his works, this book was published in the early 80s. The narrative by Lawrence Gowing is pretty florid and over written, but I persisted because I actually found it funny it was so pretentious in places. One gem which I loved and I think very revealing about Freud is that he doesn't like Gowing and for this reason chose him to write this book.

[Kamil]

The writing was so over the top saying very little but the works of Lucian Freud are brilliant so 3 stars…