# Lucian Freud

> British painter and agravar (1922-2011)

**Wikidata**: [Q154594](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q154594)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucian_Freud)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lucian-freud

## Summary
Lucian Freud was a British painter and engraver, born in 1922 and active until his death in 2011. He is widely recognized for his psychologically intense and unflinchingly realistic portrait paintings, which often depicted intimate and unidealized human subjects.

## Biography
- Born: December 8, 1922, in Berlin, Germany
- Nationality: British
- Education: Bryanston School, St. George's School, Harrow School, Slade School of Fine Art
- Known for: Portrait and figure painting, psychological realism, and unidealized depictions of the human form
- Employer(s): Goldsmiths, University of London
- Field(s): Painting, printmaking, portraiture, figure art

## Contributions
Lucian Freud was a master of figurative art, particularly known for his portraits and figure paintings that challenged conventional ideals of beauty. His works, such as *Benefits Supervisor Sleeping* (1995), are celebrated for their intense psychological scrutiny and raw, textured portrayal of the human body. He developed a distinctive style that emphasized thick impasto and a direct, almost confrontational gaze. His paintings are held in major collections worldwide, including the Tate Britain and the National Portrait Gallery, London. Freud's influence extended beyond the canvas; he taught and mentored emerging artists, shaping contemporary portraiture. His work redefined the genre by focusing on the emotional and physical vulnerability of his subjects.

## FAQs
### Where did Lucian Freud study?
Lucian Freud studied at several institutions, including Bryanston School, St. George's School, Harrow School, and the Slade School of Fine Art in London.

### What is Lucian Freud most famous for?
Lucian Freud is most famous for his psychologically intense and unidealized portrait paintings, which often featured close friends, family, and even himself as subjects.

### What artistic techniques did Lucian Freud use?
Lucian Freud was known for his use of thick impasto, where paint is applied in very thick layers, and for his method of working slowly and directly from life, often completing a single portrait over many months or years.

### Did Lucian Freud receive any awards or recognition?
Yes, Lucian Freud was awarded the Order of Merit in 1983 and was a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

### What themes are prevalent in Lucian Freud's work?
Freud's work frequently explored themes of human vulnerability, intimacy, and the physicality of the body, often depicting subjects in states of undress or repose.

### Where has Lucian Freud worked?
Lucian Freud worked primarily in London, where he maintained a studio for much of his career. He also taught at Goldsmiths, University of London, influencing a generation of artists.

## Why They Matter
Lucian Freud redefined modern portraiture by rejecting idealization in favor of raw, psychological honesty. His portraits, often unsettling in their intensity, captured not just the appearance but the essence of his subjects. His influence extended to both the art world and broader cultural perceptions of identity and humanity. Freud’s legacy includes inspiring countless artists to pursue unflinching realism and contributing to a shift in how portraiture is understood. His works are held in major institutions globally, and his teaching at Goldsmiths impacted emerging artists. Without Freud, the trajectory of figurative art in the 20th and 21st centuries would be markedly different.

## Notable For
- Pioneering a style of psychological portraiture that emphasized raw realism and emotional depth
- Painting *Benefits Supervisor Sleeping* (1995), one of his most acclaimed works
- Being awarded the Order of Merit (1983), one of the highest honors in the UK
- Being elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Teaching at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he influenced contemporary artists
- Rejecting flattery in portraiture in favor of unidealized, honest depictions
- Being among the most celebrated British artists of the 20th century

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Lucian Freud was born on December 8, 1922, in Berlin, Germany, to Ernst L. Freud, an architect, and Lucie Brasch. He was the grandson of Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis. Freud moved to England in 1933 to escape Nazi Germany and settled in London. He was educated at several institutions:
- Bryanston School (1935–1938)
- St. George's School, Windsor
- Harrow School
- Slade School of Fine Art, University of London (studied under Randolph Caldecott and others)

### Career and Artistic Development
Lucian Freud began his career as a painter in the 1940s, initially influenced by surrealism and realism. His early works were characterized by fine detail and psychological insight. Over time, his style evolved to include:
- Thick impasto technique
- A focus on the human figure and portrait
- A slow, methodical painting process that could take months or years to complete a single work

He became known for his unflinching portraits, often depicting friends, family, and even himself. His subjects were rarely idealized; instead, Freud captured their physical and emotional states with stark honesty.

### Major Works
- *Benefits Supervisor Sleeping* (1995) — one of his most famous paintings, depicting Sue Tilley, a benefits supervisor, in a state of rest. The work exemplifies his mature style and psychological intensity.
- *Man with a Feather* (1987) — a portrait that showcases his ability to render texture and emotion.
- *Girl with a Kitten* (1947) — an early work that reflects his transition from surrealism to realism.

### Teaching and Influence
Freud taught at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he mentored emerging artists and influenced the direction of British art. His students and peers regarded him as a master of technique and psychological insight.

### Recognition and Awards
Lucian Freud received numerous honors, including:
- Order of Merit (1983)
- Fellowship in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Recognition from major institutions such as the Tate and National Portrait Gallery

### Legacy
Lucian Freud's legacy lies in his transformation of portraiture. His works are held in major museums worldwide, including:
- Tate Britain
- National Portrait Gallery, London
- Museum of Modern Art, New York

His paintings continue to influence artists and are frequently exhibited globally. Freud’s approach to portraiture emphasized the physical and emotional reality of his subjects, rejecting idealization in favor of authenticity.

### Personal Life and Death
Freud lived and worked in London for most of his life. He passed away on July 20, 2011, leaving behind a body of work that redefined figurative art. His estate continues to be managed by the Lucian Freud Archive and various international galleries.

### Themes and Style
Freud’s paintings often featured:
- Intimate, unguarded moments
- Thick, textural paint application
- A focus on aging, vulnerability, and the human condition
- Psychological realism over aesthetic appeal

His portraits remain some of the most powerful and provocative in modern art, continuing to inspire and challenge viewers.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. The Fine Art Archive
4. RKDartists
5. Museum of Modern Art online collection
6. Source
7. The Peerage
8. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
9. Who's Who
10. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/person/lucian-freud-1922)
11. Czech National Authority Database
12. Union List of Artist Names
13. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
14. [Source](https://highgate.burialgrounds.co.uk/mapmanagement/#/memorialmanagement/7c0465c9-dd57-477a-af59-62685e300503/chest_tomb/o/persons/0e89d690-2d4b-4d47-a8c3-fc064953aab9/de36c229-6e30-4bb8-bc27-a020d53204fd?tab=0)
15. [Source](https://manchesterartgallery.org/exhibitions-and-events/exhibition/3403/)
16. International Standard Name Identifier
17. CiNii Research
18. Lucian Freud. RKDartists
19. SNAC
20. Find a Grave
21. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
22. Discogs
23. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
24. Freud, Lucian
25. Babelio
26. Croatian Encyclopedia
27. Munzinger Personen
28. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/22/arts/lucian-freud-adept-portraiture-artist-dies-at-88.html?_r=1&smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto)
29. Lucian Freud. Benezit Dictionary of Artists
30. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
31. National Library of the Czech Republic
32. LIBRIS
33. datos.bne.es
34. Virtual International Authority File
35. Autoritats UB
36. BBC Things
37. [Source](https://kindred.stanford.edu/#/kin/full/none/none/I6512//)
38. Quora
39. ADAGP directory
40. The Movie Database
41. [Source](https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en-GB/about-bridgeman/news/bridgeman/the-lucian-freud-archive)
42. [Source](https://www.tate.org.uk/about-us/image-licensing)
43. DACS register
44. [Source](https://collections.vam.ac.uk/search/?id_person=A11665)
45. Deutsche Biographie
46. [Source](https://library.si.edu/art-and-artist-files)
47. [Source](https://library.nga.gov/permalink/01NGA_INST/1cl1g8d/alma991072893504896)
48. Catalogo of the National Library of India