Reproductions of the young Lucian Freud's letters alongside insightful context and commentary reveal the foundations of the artist's personality and creative practice. Since his death in 2011, Lucian Freud's reputation as one of the greatest painters of the 20th century has continued to grow, with his inimitable large-scale paintings of human figures hanging in museums worldwide and reaching dizzying prices at auction. Much has been written about his talent, his brilliance and his complicated personal life, but until now, his own voice has not often been heard above the noise. Full of verbal and visual wit, affection and irreverence, these letters provide an intimate and fresh perspective on the first three decades of the artist's life. This volume brings together Freud's early letters for the first time. Gathered, with the endorsement of the Freud Estate, from both private collections and public archives, including the Freud Museum, the National Portrait Gallery and the Tate, many of them have never been published before. And they are a revelation. Whether addressed to family, friends, lovers, confidants or benefactors, they are full of verbal and visual wit, affection and irreverence. Ranging from schoolboy letters to his parents through to his early recognition as a professional artist, the letters reveal not only his earliest artistic inclinations - many feature drawings and characterful visual quirks - but the multiple facets of his complex personality. Reproduced in facsimile alongside Freud's paintings of this period, and linked by a narrative that weaves them into the story of his life and relationships, including his first marriage and separation, they provide an intimate and fresh perspective on the first three decades of the artist's life.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.