 Lucian Freud's Reflection (Self-portrait).1985 |
Image Available at; (Accessed date: 15th April 2012) |
I was searching for some interesting programs to look at when I saw a documentary about Lucian Freud. It made me aware of his exhibition at the NPG. I visited the exhibition and at one point thought that there were two artists involved. I then realised that his style and level of expression developed significantly and visibly from a certain point in his life. As you can see from his early paintings like Girl with the Kitten and Sleeping Nude.
The girl with a kitten 1947
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Images accessed at:
(Date accessed 13th April 2012)
Sleeping Nude 1950
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(Date accessed 13th April 2012)
Somewhere around 1950 his paintings became more intricate. In particular his emphasis on the detail of human skin. He perfected the skill of defining the characteristics of his subjects and really brought his pictures to life.
Hotel Bedroom 1954
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Oil on canvas, 91.1 x 61 cm (36" x 24"), The Beaverbrook Art Gallery
The Beaverbrook Foundation (in dispute, 2004)
Images accessed at:
(Date accessed 13th April 2012)
In Hotel Bedroom he vividly expresses the disparity between him and his wife. Clearly the love is gone from their relationship and an underlying drama is present. Many of his pictures have a unnerving yet fascinating quality that he almost always chooses to paint.
Lucian Freud
Lucian Freud Portraits (National Portrait Gallery, 2012)
Armchair at the Fireplace 1999
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Images accessed at:
(Date accessed 13th April 2012)
Finally in Armchair by the Fireplace 1997 he brings to life a leather arm chair in front of a fireplace. Even though there is no one present in the painting the essence of deterioration of the leather material and the suggestion of the owners own deterioration come alive.
References
National Portrait Gallery (2012) Lucian Freud Portraits.
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