Frank Auerbach: A Legacy Of Art

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Post on Nov 13, 2024

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Frank Auerbach: A Legacy of Art Built on Repetition and Passion

Frank Auerbach (1931-2023) was a towering figure in British art, known for his intensely personal and physically challenging paintings. His work, often described as “expressionist realism,” has left an undeniable mark on the art world, a legacy built on dedication, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to capturing the essence of his subjects.

Auerbach’s life was a journey shaped by displacement and the enduring power of art. Born in Berlin to Jewish parents, he fled Nazi Germany with his family in 1939, eventually settling in London. This early experience of loss and forced migration became a recurring theme in his work, shaping his views on identity and belonging.

His art was defined by a unique combination of abstract expressionism and meticulous realism. Auerbach’s paintings are characterized by their thick, impastoed paint, applied with a deliberate, almost obsessive, repetition of strokes. This technique, often likened to “sculpting with paint,” allows him to capture the weight and presence of his subjects with a raw, almost visceral intensity.

The majority of his paintings feature recurring subjects: his long-term partner, Julia, his friend and fellow artist, E.J. “Ethel” Joseph, and the London landscapes that surrounded him. Auerbach’s portraits are not merely likenesses; they are profound explorations of human experience, revealing the complexities of emotion, memory, and the passage of time. His depiction of E.J. Joseph, painted over decades, showcases his mastery of capturing the essence of a person, the subtle shifts in their appearance, and the profound impact of time on their being.

While his landscapes, often depicting his local streets and the building sites of London, exhibit the same expressive intensity. The vibrant colours and impastoed paint create a tangible sense of place, capturing the energy and dynamism of the city.

Auerbach’s artistic process was intensely personal and deliberate. He worked from life, often revisiting the same subjects for years, building up layers of paint and gradually revealing their essence. This dedication to his craft and his unwavering focus on the human condition cemented his reputation as one of the most important British artists of his generation.

His work has been exhibited internationally, with major retrospectives at the Royal Academy, the Tate Modern, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, solidifying his place as a significant contributor to the history of art.

The legacy of Frank Auerbach transcends the physical form of his paintings. It speaks to the power of art to capture the fleeting moments of life, to explore the depths of human experience, and to leave a lasting impression on the human psyche. His art remains a testament to the transformative power of creativity, a legacy that continues to inspire and provoke generations of artists and viewers alike.