**Frank Auerbach, 93, Renowned Painter, Dies**

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Post on Nov 13, 2024

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Frank Auerbach, 93, Renowned Painter, Dies

London, UK - Frank Auerbach, a renowned British painter known for his intensely expressive and deeply personal style, passed away on October 1, 2023, at the age of 93. His death marks the loss of one of the most influential figures in contemporary art, whose work has captivated generations of viewers with its raw emotional power and profound engagement with the human condition.

A Life Dedicated to Art

Born in Berlin in 1931, Auerbach fled Nazi Germany with his family in 1939, settling in London. He began his artistic journey at the prestigious Borough Polytechnic, where he studied sculpture under the guidance of renowned artist Frank Dobson. However, his passion for painting soon took over, leading him to enroll at the Royal College of Art in 1952.

Auerbach’s early artistic influences stemmed from the gritty reality of post-war London. He drew inspiration from the city's working-class communities, finding beauty in the ordinary and portraying his subjects with unflinching honesty. His signature style, characterized by thick impasto, often applied with a palette knife, became synonymous with his name.

The Power of Repetition

Auerbach was known for his unwavering commitment to a select few subjects, most notably his longtime muse, the artist and model, Julia, and his close friend, the writer and critic, E.J. "EJ" Hobson. He would often paint these subjects repeatedly, exploring their physicality and inner lives through countless sittings. This dedication to repetition allowed Auerbach to delve deeper into his subject matter, revealing their essence through layers of paint and the passage of time.

A Lasting Legacy

Frank Auerbach's work is widely celebrated in museums and galleries around the world. He held solo exhibitions at the Tate Gallery in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, among many others. His paintings are held in prestigious collections, including the Tate Modern, the National Gallery, and the Museum of Modern Art.

Auerbach's influence on contemporary art remains profound. His relentless exploration of the human form, his bold use of impasto, and his unwavering commitment to his subjects continue to inspire artists and viewers alike. His death marks the end of an era, but his legacy as a towering figure in the art world will undoubtedly endure.

Keywords: Frank Auerbach, painter, British art, contemporary art, expressionism, impasto, Julia, EJ Hobson, Tate Modern, National Gallery, Museum of Modern Art, artist, legacy, London, Berlin, Royal College of Art, Borough Polytechnic, post-war art.