Remembering Frank Auerbach: 1931-2024

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Post on Nov 13, 2024

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Remembering Frank Auerbach: 1931-2024

Frank Auerbach, a towering figure in British art, passed away on October 26, 2024, at the age of 93. He was a master of figuration, his paintings characterized by a singular, almost brutal honesty, capturing the essence of his subjects and the urban landscape of London he called home.

Auerbach's artistic journey was deeply intertwined with his personal life. Born in Berlin in 1931 to Jewish parents, he fled Nazi persecution in 1939, arriving in London as a refugee. This experience profoundly shaped his worldview and art. He saw the world with a heightened awareness of vulnerability and resilience, qualities that permeate his work.

Auerbach's artistic voice developed at the Slade School of Fine Art, where he studied under William Coldstream. His early works, informed by the figurative tradition, were marked by a striving for accuracy and representation of the human form. Yet, it was in the 1950s, during a period of intense artistic exploration, that Auerbach began to develop his signature style.

His canvases, often featuring his close friends and models, became a testament to his unwavering dedication to capturing the raw reality of the human experience. He utilized thick, impasto layers of paint, built up over time, creating a tactile, almost sculptural surface. This approach to painting mirrored his methodical and rigorous approach to life, where every brushstroke reflected a deep engagement with the world.

Auerbach's works were not about beauty in the traditional sense. They were about the inherent beauty found in the imperfections of the human form and the grit of urban life. His portraits, particularly those of his long-term muse, Sue Tilley, became a symbol of his unflinching honesty, revealing the complexities and vulnerabilities beneath the surface.

Auerbach was a painter deeply rooted in his time and place, yet his work resonated with a timeless quality. His work transcended the boundaries of style and genre, speaking to the universal human experience of resilience, vulnerability, and the search for meaning amidst the chaos of life.

His legacy is not only in the countless paintings that he produced throughout his long and illustrious career, but also in the inspiration he provided to generations of artists. Auerbach's dedication to his craft, his unwavering commitment to truth, and his unique artistic vision continue to inspire us to look beyond the superficial and embrace the complexities of human existence. His art, forever imprinted with the grit and soul of London, stands as a testament to his enduring legacy.