Painter Frank Auerbach Dies At 90

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Post on Nov 13, 2024

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Frank Auerbach, Master of Figurative Expressionism, Dies at 90

Renowned British artist Frank Auerbach, known for his intensely expressive and deeply personal figurative paintings, passed away at the age of 90 on October 7, 2023. His death marks the end of an era in British art, leaving behind a legacy of powerful, often raw, and deeply affecting works that challenged traditional notions of beauty and form.

Born in Berlin in 1931, Auerbach's family fled Nazi persecution for England when he was a young boy. This experience, coupled with his deep connection to the city of London, became crucial themes throughout his artistic career. He studied at the Central School of Art and Design, where he developed his signature style – a thick, impasto technique that resulted in a textured, almost sculptural surface.

Auerbach was a master of portraiture, most famously known for his repeated depictions of the same sitters, including his muse, E.O.W. (Ethel) Davies, and his close friend, the painter William Feaver. Through countless sittings, Auerbach captured the essence of his subjects, not just their physical appearance but their inner lives, their vulnerabilities, and their passage through time.

His paintings are characterized by their intense focus on the human form, often rendered in dark, brooding colors. He repeatedly worked and reworked his canvases, building up layers of paint, sometimes scraping them back, leaving visible traces of the artist's struggle and passion. This process resulted in a raw, honest, and intensely moving portrayal of the human condition.

Auerbach's artistic practice was as much about the process of creating as it was about the final product. He believed in the power of repetition, of pushing the boundaries of his own abilities, and of embracing the imperfections that emerged through the process. His paintings are not meant to be aesthetically pleasing in the traditional sense but rather to evoke an emotional response, a sense of intimacy, and a profound understanding of the human spirit.

Over the course of his long and prolific career, Auerbach received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Order of Merit in 2007. His work has been exhibited extensively across the world, and his paintings are held in major museum collections, including the Tate Modern in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Despite his international acclaim, Auerbach remained a humble and intensely private figure. His life was dedicated to his art, and his legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire and challenge artists and art lovers for generations to come. The loss of Frank Auerbach is a significant one for the art world, but his powerful and enduring work will remain a testament to his singular vision and unparalleled talent.