Frank Helmut Auerbach was born on April 29, 1931, in Berlin, Germany.
As a young Jewish boy, he was sent to England in 1939 to escape the growing threat of Nazi persecution. Tragically, his parents were unable to leave Germany and perished in the Holocaust. Auerbach was placed in a boarding school in Kent, where he began to develop his interest in art. After the war, Auerbach studied at St Martin's School of Art in London from 1948 to 1952. He then attended the Royal College of Art from 1952 to 1955. During this period, he was heavily influenced by the teachings of David Bomberg, who encouraged Auerbach to experiment with form and technique.
Artistic Career and Style
Auerbach is best known for his thickly impastoed portraits and cityscapes, which often depict his close friends and the area around his studio in Camden Town, London. His work is characterized by its intense physicality and the laborious process of application and removal of paint. Auerbach would often work on a single painting for months or even years, scraping off and reapplying layers of paint until he achieved the desired effect.
His early works were often dark and sombre, reflecting the post-war environment of London. Over time, his palette brightened, and his compositions became more abstract. Despite these changes, his commitment to capturing the essence of his subjects remained constant.
Auerbach's dedication to his craft earned him critical acclaim. He was awarded the prestigious John Moores Painting Prize in 1976 and represented Britain at the Venice Biennale in 1986. His work is held in major collections worldwide, including the Tate Gallery in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Legacy and Influence
Frank Auerbach is considered one of the most important British painters of the 20th century. His innovative techniques and uncompromising approach to painting have inspired generations of artists. Auerbach's influence can be seen in the works of contemporary painters who seek to capture the emotional and physical presence of their subjects.
Despite his success, Auerbach has remained a private and reclusive figure, rarely giving interviews and seldom appearing in public. He continues to work in his Camden studio, driven by an unrelenting desire to push the boundaries of his art.