The Art World Mourns Frank Auerbach

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Post on Nov 13, 2024

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The Art World Mourns Frank Auerbach: A Giant of Figurative Painting Passes Away

The art world is in mourning following the passing of renowned British figurative painter Frank Auerbach, who died on October 14th, 2023, at the age of 90. Auerbach, a towering figure in contemporary art, was known for his intensely expressive portraits and landscapes, a testament to his enduring commitment to the human figure and the power of paint.

Born in Berlin in 1931, Auerbach’s early life was marked by the trauma of Nazi persecution. He and his family fled Germany in 1939, eventually settling in London, where he would find his artistic voice. His fascination with the human form, coupled with a deep engagement with the city's urban landscape, became defining elements in his artistic journey.

Auerbach’s paintings are characterized by their highly textured surfaces, built up through layers of impasto – thick, rich paint applied with a palette knife. This technique, reminiscent of Van Gogh and other Expressionist masters, gives his works a palpable physicality, inviting viewers to almost touch the canvas. His subjects, often close friends and local figures, are rendered with an intensity and intimacy that is both captivating and unsettling. The faces he paints, though often obscured by layers of pigment, seem to radiate a profound humanity, revealing the complexities of the human condition.

Throughout his career, Auerbach remained a steadfast advocate for traditional techniques and the act of painting itself. He worked in a small, dimly lit studio, focusing on the immediate surroundings, the same figures, and the same streetscapes. This obsessive dedication to his subjects and his process resulted in an extraordinary body of work that reflects a lifetime of focused observation and tireless exploration.

Auerbach's legacy extends far beyond the walls of galleries and museums. His work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Royal Academy, the Tate Modern, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He received numerous awards, including the prestigious Order of Merit in 2005, and his paintings are held in prestigious public and private collections worldwide.

Though his physical presence has left us, Auerbach's artistic spirit will continue to inspire artists and viewers for generations to come. His commitment to the human form, his unflinching honesty, and his enduring love of the act of painting have left an indelible mark on the art world. He is a master whose legacy will forever be etched in the history of art, a reminder of the power of human expression and the enduring beauty of the figurative tradition.