Lucian Freud Paintings

Lucian Freud, born on December 8, 1922, in Berlin, Germany, was a prominent British painter known for his psychological penetration and often discomforting examination of the relationship between artist and model. He was the grandson of the famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. His family moved to Britain in 1933 to escape the rise of Nazism. Freud became a British citizen in 1939.

Freud's early work was influenced by surrealism, but by the 1950s he had developed his own distinctive style of realist painting. His mature style focused on the human figure, rendered in a thick, impasto technique that emphasized the texture of flesh and the physicality of the body. Freud's subjects often appeared nude, stripped of any cultural or social context, which gave his work a raw and candid quality.

Throughout his career, Freud shunned the limelight and preferred to let his work speak for itself. He was known for his intense and often lengthy portrait sessions, which could last for months or even years. His models were often friends or family, including his many children, and he was known for the psychological depth he brought to these portraits.

Freud's work has been exhibited in many major galleries and museums around the world. He was awarded the Companion of Honour in 1983 and the Order of Merit in 1993. Despite his aversion to fame, Freud was recognized as one of the leading British artists of his time, and his works are highly sought after. He continued to paint until his death on July 20, 2011, in London, leaving behind a profound legacy in the world of contemporary art.