This comprehensive study delves into the works of Tracey Emin, a renowned British artist known for her provocative and emotive paintings. It explores her unique artistic vision and the themes of femininity, identity, and personal experience that permeate her work. The book offers critical analysis and insights into Emin's contributions to contemporary art, highlighting her significance as a female icon in the art world.
The book features reproductions of young Lucian Freud's letters, offering a glimpse into the early development of his personality and artistic approach. Accompanied by insightful context and commentary, it explores the influences and experiences that shaped Freud's creative practice, providing a deeper understanding of the renowned artist's formative years.
This volume showcases twenty major paintings by Lucian Freud, curated by his assistant David Dawson. It highlights Freud's large-scale portraits, particularly of Leigh Bowery, emphasizing intimacy and psychological depth in his depictions of the naked body. Dawson offers insights into Freud's creative process, revealing the artist's innovative approach.
A breathtaking visual biography of Freud, told through his own words, unpublished private photographs, and painted portraits This unprecedented look at the private life of Lucian Freud begins with childhood snapshots and ends with rarely seen photographs made in his studio in the last weeks of his life. In between, the life of one of the most important artists of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries is vividly documented - through family photos, in images of the painter in his studio with some of his most celebrated sitters, and in portraits by his peers, first among them Francis Bacon.
For nearly two decades, David Dawson served as Lucian Freud's assistant, companion, and model, gaining unique access to the artist's life and work. Freud, known for his powerful social circles and commitment to privacy, typically avoided distractions and preferred to be photographed only by those he trusted. However, as Dawson became comfortable with capturing Freud's image, photography became an integral part of their daily studio routine. The resulting photographs offer an intimate glimpse into the artist’s life and the evolution of his paintings, a rare documentation of such depth over time. Despite Freud's guarded nature, his social circle included prominent figures from the art world, such as art historian John Richardson and painters David Hockney and Frank Auerbach, alongside friends like model Kate Moss and the Duke of Beaufort. The narrative begins in Freud's old studio in Holland Park and transitions to his eighteenth-century Kensington house, where he worked until his death. Dawson also captured Freud during visits to renowned museums in New York, Amsterdam, and Madrid, culminating in a portrayal of the artist's extraordinary collection of paintings. The final images depict the installation of Freud’s work at his posthumous exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, creating a haunting and fascinating portrait of one of the most significant painters of our time.
The book offers an intimate look at the life of a highly acclaimed yet reclusive artist in his eighties, who still paints with remarkable vigor and dedication. It explores his artistic journey, revealing the passion and discipline that have defined his work over the years. Through this rare perspective, readers gain insight into the creative process and the enduring spirit of a master in the world of figurative art.