Person · History

Lucian Freud

@lucianfreud
10 Events1922 – 201290 Years

Explore the significant milestones and artistic evolution of Lucian Freud, one of the most influential painters of the 20th century. This timeline highlights key events from his early life, his prolific career in portraiture, and his lasting impact on contemporary art.

Born:December 08, 1922
Known as:Painter
1910
1920
1930
1940
1950
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2000
2010
2020
1916
1918
1922
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09februari
2012
09 februari 2012

National Portrait Gallery Exhibition

In February 2012, the National Portrait Gallery in London opened an exhibition dedicated to Lucian Freud. This exhibition was significant as it was the first since his death and featured more than 100 paintings. It offered a comprehensive look at Freud's career, emphasizing his artistry in capturing the psychological dimension of his subjects.

20juli
2011
20 juli 2011

Death of Lucian Freud

Lucian Freud passed away on July 20, 2011, in London, England, at the age of 88. He left behind a legacy as one of the most influential artists of his time, renowned for his unflinching portrayals of human figures. Throughout his career, Freud developed a profound exploration of psychology and truth in portraiture, leaving an indelible mark on modern art.

10februari
2008
10 februari 2008

Artwork Sells for Record Price

In February 2008, Lucian Freud’s painting “Benefits Supervisor Sleeping” sold for $33.6 million at Christie's in New York, setting a world record for the most expensive painting by a living artist at the time. This sale underscored Freud's significance in the art market and highlighted his reputation for capturing the human body with unflinching truth and remarkable detail.

10september
1993
10 september 1993

Tate Gallery Retrospective

Lucian Freud's major retrospective at the Tate Gallery in London opened on September 10, 1993. This exhibition was a comprehensive showcase of Freud's work, highlighting the evolution of his painting style and the vivid exploration of his subjects. The retrospective played a significant role in consolidating his status as a leading painter in contemporary art.

22juni
1987
22 juni 1987

Exhibition at the Hirshhorn Museum

On June 22, 1987, Lucian Freud's works were exhibited at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C. This exhibition was one of the key showcases of Freud's paintings in the United States, bringing significant attention to his distinctive style, which was marked by detailed observation and psychological depth. The exhibition included a variety of his portraits and nudes.

01juli
1977
01 juli 1977

Portrait Commission of Queen Elizabeth II

In July 2000, Lucian Freud was commissioned to paint a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The small painting, completed over 19 months, was known for its stark realism and uniqueness. Freud’s approach caused both admiration and controversy, as it portrayed the Queen in a non-traditional manner, focusing on her more natural and human aspects rather than idealized royal iconography.

Sources:
BBC |
01maart
1951
01 maart 1951

Awarded the Guggenheim Prize

In March 1951, Lucian Freud was awarded the prestigious Guggenheim Prize for his outstanding contribution to painting. This award recognized his growing stature as a painter and helped to establish his reputation in the art world. Freud's work during this period began to explore more intense psychological elements, with a focus on portraiture and nudes.

15mei
1944
15 mei 1944

First Solo Exhibition

Lucian Freud had his first solo exhibition in May 1944 at the Lefevre Gallery in London. This exhibition marked Freud's entry into the professional art world. It showcased his early work characterized by finely worked surfaces and a distinct precision that later evolved into the thicker impasto representing the psychological intensity of his subjects.

01januari
1939
01 januari 1939

Emigrated to the United Kingdom

Lucian Freud, along with his family, emigrated from Germany to the United Kingdom in 1933 to escape the rise of the Nazi regime. This relocation was pivotal in Freud's life as it eventually led him to enter the English art scene, where he began to develop his unique style which would later be marked by psychological penetration and a frank realism.

08december
1922
08 december 1922

Birth of Lucian Freud

Lucian Michael Freud was born on December 8, 1922, in Berlin, Germany. He was the grandson of Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis. His family moved to London in 1933 to escape the rise of Nazism. Freud later became a British citizen and one of the foremost 20th-century portrait painters, known for his mature painting style which involves a combination of expressionism and realism.

Sources:
Tate |

Frequently asked questions about Lucian Freud

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