Lucien Freud Portraits

Wonderful exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery of portraits by Lucien Freud.

Ever since the Tate exhibition a few years ago I have loved Freud and this was a nice opportunity to focus on the portraits and to see how they progressed.

I found the earlier works almost a bit cartoon like and it was a relief when in about the third gallery he found his more familiar style. My favourite room had to be the Leigh Bowerys. I love the confident way he poses and the wonderful contrast between his size and the rather dilapidated studio furniture.

The final picture “Portrait of the Hound” was very moving as Freud’s last paint stokes formed his dog’s ear and may I say what good dogs he painted.

I will say though that the exhibition space does not work very well as the gallery has to use the small spaces in what is usually the contemporary gallery which did not cope too well with the volume of people. However Good Friday might not have been the best day to go!

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