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 the key characteristics of Frank Auerbach’s painting style that set him apart from his contemporaries in the London School?
**Interview with Art Historian Sarah Turner on the Legacy of Frank Auerbach**
**Interviewer:** Today, we have Sarah Turner, an esteemed art historian, joining us to discuss the profound impact of Frank Auerbach on British art. Frank Auerbach, a leading figure of the London School, recently passed away at the age of 93. His contributions to portraiture and the way he utilized color and abstraction have fundamentally shifted art perspectives. Sarah, how would you describe Auerbach’s unique style and its significance in the context of contemporary art?
**Sarah Turner:** Auerbach’s style is remarkable, characterized by his masterful use of thick layers of paint and bold colors, which create an almost sculptural quality in his portraits and scenes. His ability to convey emotion and depth through abstraction rather than just realistic representation invites viewers to engage with his work on a more intimate level. This approach not only breaks with traditional portraiture but also challenges our perceptions of identity and form.
**Interviewer:** Indeed, he is often compared to other luminaries like Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud. How do you think Auerbach’s work stands apart from theirs, especially regarding themes of memory and personal history?
**Sarah Turner:** While Bacon and Freud indeed explore similar themes, Auerbach’s work is unique due to its deeply personal nature. His background—having fled the Nazis as a child, losing his parents in the Holocaust—infuses his art with layers of historical and emotional weight. His portraits, particularly those of friends and family, serve as a dialog with memory, capturing fleeting moments with a sense of urgency that is distinctly his own.
**Interviewer:** Auerbach’s passing marks a significant moment in the art world. He was not only a renowned artist but also a mentor to many. In your opinion, how should we honor his legacy moving forward?
**Sarah Turner:** Honoring Auerbach’s legacy means continuing to engage with the themes he explored through his work—identity, memory, and the human experience. Furthermore, it will be crucial to encourage new generations of artists to embrace such depth in their practice. Exhibitions that highlight his influence alongside contemporary artists could spark essential conversations in the art world.
**Interviewer:** As we reflect on Auerbach’s incredible journey, his background and experiences frame his art in a way that many find compelling. Given his contributions and the narratives behind them, what should society take away from his life’s work?
**Sarah Turner:** Auerbach’s work transcends the canvas, offering lessons on resilience, the complexities of the human experience, and the power of art to convey profound personal truths. It provokes a debate about how we perceive art and the weight of history we carry into our expressions. Readers, consider this: In what ways do you think Auerbach’s approach to painting serves as a mirror for our current societal struggles with identity and history today?
**Interviewer:** A thought-provoking question indeed! Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your insights on Frank Auerbach’s enduring impact.
