He died at the age of 93, Frank Auerbach leading figure in British art history who broke new ground for his portraiture, with dense color and elements of abstraction.
The death of the painter that occurred in London was announced on Tuesday 12/11 by Frankie Rossi Art Projects, which however did not mention the cause.
Considered one of the leading names of the London School alongside Francis Bacon, Henry Moore and Lucian Freud, the artist was known for his portraits and street scenes of Camden in north London.
During a career spanning seven decades, his works, characterized by thick layers of paint, have been exhibited in the world’s leading galleries.
Born on April 29, 1931 in Berlin, Germany to Jewish parents, at the age of seven he fled to Britain to escape Nazi persecution. His parents were left behind and killed in concentration camps. Auerbach studied at the St. Martin’s in London and then the Royal College of Art, developing his signature palette of bold colors and a distinct painting style. In 1956, he held his first solo exhibition at the Beaux Arts Gallery, and by 1978, he was the subject of a major retrospective at London’s Hayward Gallery. He represented Britain at the Venice Biennale in 1986, where he and his peer Sigmar Polke were awarded the Golden Lion.
The first comprehensive study of Frank Auerbach’s portraits “Frank Auerbach: Drawings of People” that reveals their complexity was released in October 2022 and includes texts by the painter.
Source: RES
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What are some key themes in Frank Auerbach’s portraiture that continue to resonate with contemporary artists today?
**Interview with Art Historian Dr. Emily Ward on the Legacy of Frank Auerbach**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Ward. As we mourn the passing of Frank Auerbach, a figure whose contributions to British art are immeasurable, can you reflect on what made his work stand out, particularly in the context of portraiture?
**Dr. Ward:** Absolutely, it’s a profound loss for the art world. Auerbach’s work is characterized by its intense use of color and texture, which breaks traditional boundaries of portrait painting. His distinctive layering technique created depth and emotional resonance that challenged viewers to engage with the subject on multiple levels. He was not just painting a likeness; he was exploring the essence of his subjects, often capturing the grit of urban life in London.
**Interviewer:** His journey from fleeing Nazi Germany to becoming a leading name in the London School is quite remarkable. In what ways do you think his early experiences influenced his art?
**Dr. Ward:** Auerbach’s traumatic past undoubtedly shaped his perspective. The loss of his family during the Holocaust left a deep impact on him, which can be seen in the intensity and often somber undertones of his work. His experiences fuelled a desire to capture life and humanity in all its complexities. It’s possible that this understanding of suffering and survival made him more empathetic and perceptive as an artist, allowing him to convey emotions powerfully through his portraits and street scenes.
**Interviewer:** With his passing, how do you foresee Auerbach’s influence evolving in contemporary art? Are there themes in his work that we should be paying closer attention to today?
**Dr. Ward:** Auerbach’s exploration of identity and the human condition remains highly relevant. As artists today grapple with similar themes of displacement, identity, and representation, Auerbach’s emphasis on texture and deep psychological engagement can offer inspiration. His ability to convey complex emotions through abstraction might lead contemporary artists to rethink how they represent figures and scenes in their work.
**Interviewer:** let’s open this up for discussion among our readers. How do you all feel about the impact of Auerbach’s art on today’s generation of artists? Do you think the lessons from his life and work resonate as strongly in modern contexts? We would love to hear your thoughts on whether Auerbach’s narrative of resilience and innovation continues to inspire new art movements.
