Customer Reviews

Lucian Freud: 1996-2005

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There are many books about the works of British artist Lucian Freud, one of the better of which is the one by William Feaver that accompanied an exhibition of his works, but this new release is important in more ways than one. Now in his 80s Freud has not changed his subject matter (face portraits, large scale nudes alone and with company, dogs, the occasional landscape) nor has he altered his technique which leans toward thick impasto and palette knife and scrubble manipulations.

What does seem to be changing as Freud continues to stare at his bulky and usually unattractive models is his emphasis on the mindset of the sitter. No longer are we seeing a long procession of similar faces but instead we are seeing eye engagement suggesting something about the history of the sitter. Freud is a serious painter, but one with a caustic wit. The face portrait of Queen Elizabeth is layers and layers of white pigment built as though preparing a clown's makeup and garnished with the requisite royal jewels, but the end product is not a regal queen but a rather frumpy, old tired relic of a monarch. Not flattering, but realistic in a way that only history will fully appreciate as an important statement within a portrait.

The accompanying text is informative and probing, but the emphasis here is on the paintings - and there are many in this generous book, both as full scale and captured details. If you are eager to see what Freud has done since his major touring exhibition, this is the definitive resource. Grady Harp, November 05

I feel that "Lucian Freud" is the greatest British painter of the 1990's. He makes me confront nakedly the truth of our bodies, and perhaps that is where his greatness lies. He is a great painter of the flesh, which he seems to visualize with an objective intensity that reminds me of a scientist and his microscope, or even, perhaps, a pathologist and their scalpel.
This book of art is like a tribute to the capacity of the eye truly to look and of the hand truly to transcribe what is seen. All artists strive to achieve this, but few succeed.

This is definitely one of the best books on Freud's paintings. The reproductions are excellent. I highly recommend.

Love it! Fantastic pictures...hey, Im all about the visuals! Beautiful book, will be treasured for a life time!