Frank Auerbach Dies At 93

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Post on Nov 13, 2024

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Frank Auerbach, Master of the Figure, Dies at 93

Frank Auerbach, a towering figure in British art renowned for his intensely textured portraits and landscapes, died on October 26, 2023, at the age of 93. The news of his passing was confirmed by his gallery, Marlborough Fine Art, who described him as "one of the greatest artists of his generation."

Auerbach's artistic journey began in Germany, where he was born in 1931. He fled to England with his family during World War II and found a new home in London. Despite facing early struggles and hardship, his talent for art shone through. He studied at the Borough Polytechnic Institute and later at the prestigious Royal Academy Schools.

Auerbach's artistic style is characterized by a powerful and raw immediacy. He favored oil paint, applying it in thick, impasto layers that captured the physical presence of his subjects. He was known for his relentless pursuit of realism, repeatedly painting the same models, often his close friends, in numerous variations over the years. These repeated sittings, sometimes lasting for hours, allowed Auerbach to capture the essence of his subjects, not just their physical appearance but also their inner life and vulnerability.

His work is not solely limited to portraiture. Auerbach also painted landscapes, primarily capturing the streets and buildings of his beloved Camden Town, a working-class neighborhood in North London. These landscapes, with their thick paint and gritty realism, reflected his profound connection to the city and its changing landscape.

Auerbach's art garnered critical acclaim throughout his career. He received the prestigious Order of the British Empire in 2006, and his work is held in major collections around the world, including the Tate Gallery, the National Gallery, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Despite his immense success, Auerbach remained a humble artist, dedicated to his craft and committed to the pursuit of capturing the essence of human existence through his art. He once said, “My painting is about the time spent with the sitter, the moments in between, the silences and the waiting. It’s about the struggle to understand and to capture the essence of the human experience.”

Frank Auerbach's legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire and provoke generations of artists and art lovers. His unique style, his relentless dedication to his craft, and his profound understanding of the human condition have secured his place as a giant of modern art. He will be deeply missed but his powerful and unforgettable work will continue to resonate for years to come.