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Lucian FreudContemporary English artist of German origin.
Date of Birth: 08.12.1922
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
Biography of Lucian Freud
Lucian Michael Freud, a contemporary English artist of German descent, was born on December 8, 1922, in Berlin, Germany, into a renowned Jewish family. His parents were architect Ernst Freud and Lucy Freud. He was the grandson of the famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud and the brother of politician and writer Clement Freud.
Early Life and Education
After the rise of the Nazis in Germany, Freud and his family moved to the United Kingdom. He obtained British citizenship in 1939. Freud received his initial education at the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing in Dedham and the London School of Art. He also studied at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Artistic Career
Freud's first solo exhibition took place in 1944 at the Lefevre Gallery. In the summer of 1946, he traveled to Paris, followed by Rome and other cities. His early works were influenced by surrealism. From 1950 onwards, Freud began painting portraits and nudes, applying thick, subdued layers of paint. He primarily depicted people from his own surroundings, including friends, acquaintances, lovers, and relatives.
In 1951, Freud's painting "Interior in Paddington" (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool) won an award at the British Exhibition Festival, establishing him as one of the best contemporary figurative painters. His painting "Woman with a White Dog" (1952) portrays his first wife, Kathleen Garman. Freud claimed to "paint people not as they are, but as they could be." His work "After Cézanne" (1999-2000) was acquired by the National Gallery of Australia for $7.4 million.
In the period from May 2000 to December 2001, Freud painted a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Although the work received criticism from the British press, it was displayed at the Royal Academy of Arts. In May 2008, Roman Abramovich purchased Freud's painting "Benefits Supervisor Sleeping" for $33.6 million at a Christie's auction, adding it to his collection for his future museum of contemporary art.
Recognition and Legacy
At the age of 86, Lucian Freud became the most expensive living artist in the world. His works are displayed in the renowned Wallace Collection museum in London, making him the first contemporary artist to be exhibited there. In 2002, the Louvre, together with the National Museums Association, presented an exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris titled "Constable: A Selection by Lucian Freud." In the same year, a retrospective of Freud's works at the Tate Gallery in London received significant acclaim.
Freud's fame and success extend beyond museum walls. In recent auctions, his works have topped the list of most significant pieces, surpassing those of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Damien Hirst, and Andy Warhol. Freud's approach to his artistic mission, capturing the cries of the soul and the suffering of decaying flesh, sets him apart with an archaic seriousness. This contrasts with the prevailing trend in contemporary art, where artists have become part of the entertainment industry and producers of luxury objects.
