Frank AuerbachHead of William Feaver, 2021-23

Oil on canvas

20 1/2 x 16 1/8 in

About the artist

(1931–2024) was one of the most preeminent painters of the post-war era. His work exists outside the bounds of any singular period or movement, defined instead by a fiercely personal and enduring vision. Employing a vigorous impasto technique, Auerbach created intensely worked figurative paintings shaped by an obsessive, daily studio practice. Central to his work were portraits of a close circle of devoted sitters, many of whom maintained a regular schedule with him for decades, sitting for hours at a time—sessions that typically began with conversation before settling into quiet intensity and focus. These portraits, like his landscapes, were the product of relentless revision—Auerbach would often scrape down a day’s work entirely, only to begin again the next morning, each effort a step toward the final expression. His landscape paintings, drawn from repeated studies across London, often centered on the streets, parks, and buildings near Mornington Crescent in Camden Town, where he maintained his studio from 1954 onward. Through his distinct idiom, Auerbach transformed the familiar surroundings of his neighborhood and city into works of enduring intensity and resonance. In addition to his portraits and cityscapes, Auerbach also painted self-portraits throughout his career. While early examples were more sporadic, in his later years he turned to his own reflection with increasing frequency. He found his aging visage—with its deepening lines and visible traces of time—a compelling and honest subject, adding another layer of introspection to his remarkable body of work.

About the artist

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