**Frank Auerbach: Artist, 1931-2024**

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Post on Nov 13, 2024

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Frank Auerbach: Artist, 1931-2024 - A Life Dedicated to the Figure

Frank Auerbach, a renowned British artist known for his expressive and deeply personal figurative paintings, passed away on October 13, 2024, at the age of 92. His life and work were a testament to a relentless pursuit of artistic truth, characterized by an unwavering dedication to the human figure and an intensely raw and intimate style.

Early Life and Influences

Born in Berlin in 1931, Auerbach fled to England with his family in 1939 to escape the Nazi regime. This formative experience deeply shaped his artistic perspective, imbuing his work with a sense of displacement and longing. He later studied at the Borough Polytechnic Institute, where he encountered the influence of artists like William Coldstream and Lucian Freud, who emphasized direct observation and figuration.

The Power of the Figure

Auerbach's artistic signature was his relentless focus on the human form. He was known for his repeated portrayals of close friends, family members, and models, often depicting them in various poses and states of being. His subjects included his long-time muse, Juliet, as well as his friend, the poet E.J. Thribb.

Auerbach's portraits are not simply representations of individuals, but rather explorations of their essence, their vulnerability, and their presence in the world. He captured his subjects with remarkable intensity, focusing on their physicality, their emotions, and the passage of time.

The Impasto Technique and Expression

Auerbach's paintings are distinguished by their thick impasto technique, where he applied layers of oil paint with a palette knife, creating a tangible and textured surface. This technique, alongside his often dark and earthy palette, contributed to the powerful and emotional quality of his art.

The impasto not only adds physical dimension to the canvas but also reflects Auerbach's artistic process – one of intense scrutiny, repetition, and layering. His paintings are not about capturing a fleeting moment; they are about the accumulation of time, experience, and the artist's struggle to understand and translate reality.

Legacy and Impact

Throughout his long career, Auerbach received numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Turner Prize in 1999. His work is held in prominent collections worldwide, including the Tate Gallery in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Auerbach's influence extends beyond the art world. His commitment to figuration, his exploration of human experience, and his unique artistic style continue to inspire artists and viewers alike. His art serves as a reminder of the power of visual language to communicate complex emotions and to capture the essence of human existence.

Conclusion

Frank Auerbach was a true artist, driven by an unrelenting desire to capture the human condition in all its complexity and depth. His legacy is not just a collection of paintings, but a testament to the enduring power of art to move, challenge, and inspire.

Keywords: Frank Auerbach, British artist, figurative paintings, impasto technique, human figure, portraiture, expressionism, legacy, art, painting, contemporary art, London, Tate Gallery, Turner Prize