Lucian Michael Freud was a British painter and one of the most prominent figurative artists of the 20th century. He was born on December 8, 1922, in Berlin, Germany, to a Jewish family. Freud's family moved to England in 1933 to escape the rise of the Nazi regime.
Freud is known for his deeply penetrating and psychologically intense portraits, often depicting the human figure in a raw and unidealized manner. He had a meticulous approach to painting, spending countless hours on each work to capture every detail with precision. Freud primarily worked in oils and was known for his distinctive brushwork and thick layers of paint.
Throughout his career, Freud painted a wide range of subjects, including friends, family members, fellow artists, and lovers. His portraits were characterized by their stark realism, with the subjects often depicted in unconventional poses and with a remarkable level of scrutiny. Freud had a unique ability to capture the psychological depth and emotional complexity of his sitters.
Freud's work received significant recognition and critical acclaim during his lifetime. He had numerous solo exhibitions and retrospectives in major museums and galleries around the world. In 1983, he was appointed a Companion of Honour, and in 1993, he was awarded the Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II.
Lucian Freud passed away on July 20, 2011, in London, England, at the age of 88. His legacy as an influential figurative artist continues to resonate, and his works can be found in major art collections worldwide.