Lucian Freud

by Lucian] Gowing [Freud

Lucian Freud has always stirred controversy with his radical reinvention of artistic conventions. In particular his graphic male nudes, both portraits of himself and of others, have embodied a rejection of youth's sleek smooth lines in favor of age's unglamorous and unvarnished naturalism. His recent studies of obese male and female models have renewed his reputation as controversialist. This book reminds us that some of his work over the years has been at times more accepted. His portrait of artist Francis Bacon set new standards for truth in portraiture. He painted his mother with huge affection. His landscapes of London have been taken as social commentary, reflections of the metaphorical and literal decay he sees around him. This book records the artist's career after 50 years as a painter.

Genres: Art

Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Andrea Engle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent volume of Lucian Freud's etchings, with two essays ... "Freud's Man and Beast" by Anders Kold, Curator and Head of Acquitions at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art since 2001 ... "Lucian Freud: The Trenchant Gaze" by Richard Cork, who knew the artist and is currently an art critic and curator ... both superb analyses of the artist ... an exhibition catalogue for "LUCIAN FREUD -- CLOSER, etchings from the UBS Collection", held July to October 2017 in Berlin ... absolutely breath-taking ... Lucian Freud said: "You can't be aware enough. I've always thought that biology was a great help to me and perhaps even having worked with animals was a help. I thought through observation I could make something into my own that might not have been seen or noticed in that way before." [as quoted by Anders Kold] ...