Frank Auerbach: A Legacy of Artistic Dedication

Frank Auerbach, one of the most significant postwar painters in Britain, passed away on Monday at the age of 93 at his residence in London. His death was confirmed by his gallery, Frankie Rossi Art Projects, through a news release.

Auerbach was often mentioned alongside his contemporaries, such as Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud, sharing a commitment to an intensely personal artistic vision. For over six decades, he dedicated himself to painting a small circle of close friends and the streets and parks surrounding his London studio. His relentless work ethic was legendary; he painted seven days a week, dedicating five evenings to his craft in a Camden Town studio that he began using in 1954, previously occupied by his friend and fellow artist Leon Kossoff. Remarkably, Auerbach allowed himself just one day off each year, when he would journey to Brighton on England’s southern coast for a breath of sea air before returning to his painting routine.

From the moment he showcased his first exhibition in 1956 until his last breath, Auerbach remained steadfast in his artistic pursuits. He created thickly textured portraits, often focusing on the heads and reclining figures of his subjects, some of whom sat for him for decades. His work was characterized by dense, impasto layers, where outlines emerged from wild, knotted strokes of paint, reminiscent of primordial forms animated by electric bursts of color.

In addition to his portraiture, Auerbach found inspiration in the streets and parks of his neighborhood. His drawings, made during explorations around Mornington Crescent and Primrose Hill, led to feverishly painted streetscapes and park scenes. The early works featured dark, muted tones that, over time, transformed into brilliantly colored and dynamic compositions after the late 1960s.

A complete obituary will be published soon.