Lucian Freud: The Self-Portraits


Fabulous exhibition at the Royal Academy focusing on Lucian Freuds self-portraits.

This show not only examined how Freud viewed himself but also, as it was arranged chronologically, was a great way to show how his style and technique changed over the years. His pictures began as smooth, finely drawn works and end as the wonderful impasto studies with which we now associate him. It was curated by David Dawson, Freud’s last studio assistant, and felt comprehensive as it even included letters with sketched self-portraits and lots of pictures from private collections.

The pictures were, of course, wonderful. I don’t know his earlier work that well but loved the rather flat style. I loved a detailed drawing of a street scene with a beautifully drawn wall and lamp with just the top of his head sneaking into the scene. It was nice to see a sketch of “Hotel Bedroom” from 1954 as well as the picture itself. Also to see three pictures from 1963 reunited for the first time since then.

My favourite section looked at how he often slipped self-portraits into other works which became a bit creepy when you realised. There was a wonderful portrait of his son Freddy with Freud reflected in the window, a  double portrait with his reflection in a mirror on the floor and “Flora with Blue Toenails” where his shadow looms over the figure.

I always want to come out of Freud exhibitions liking him more as a person as I love the art so much, but I this seemed to emphasis his self-centeredness. At least, in later life, it does show him turning his analytical eye on himself. I love the full length “Painter Working, Reflection” where he studies himself very carefully and records the vulnerability of old age.

Closes 26 January 2020

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