Lucian Freud (1922–2011) was a British painter known for his intense and psychologically penetrating portraits, often depicting the human figure in a raw and unflinching manner. Born in Berlin, Germany, Freud was the grandson of the renowned psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Fleeing Nazi persecution, his family emigrated to England in 1933, where Lucian would spend the rest of his life.

Freud's early work was influenced by the Surrealist movement, but he soon developed his own distinctive style characterized by thick impasto brushwork and a meticulous attention to detail. His paintings often portrayed his subjects with an unvarnished honesty, capturing their physical imperfections and psychological complexities with unapologetic directness.

Throughout his career, Freud became renowned for his ability to capture the essence of his subjects, whether they were friends, family members, or anonymous figures from the streets of London. His portraits were often intimate and confrontational, revealing the vulnerability and humanity of his sitters in a way that was both unsettling and deeply moving.

One of Freud's most famous series of works is his series of nude portraits, in which he depicted the human body with a raw and unidealised realism. These paintings, often executed on a large scale, are characterised by their intense physicality and the palpable sense of presence they convey. Freud's ability to capture the flesh in all its complexity earned him a reputation as one of the greatest figurative painters of the 20th century.

In addition to his portraits, Freud also painted landscapes, still lives, and animal studies, all executed with the same level of meticulous detail and emotional intensity. His work was deeply rooted in the tradition of European figurative painting, but he also drew inspiration from his own life experiences and the world around him, creating a body of work that is as diverse as it is powerful.

Freud's talent was recognised with numerous awards and honors, including the Order of Merit from Queen Elizabeth II in 1993. His work is held in the collections of the world's leading museums and galleries, where it continues to inspire and captivate viewers with its unflinching exploration of the human condition.

Despite his fame and success, Freud remained notoriously private and reclusive, rarely granting interviews or allowing access to his studio. He was known for his rigorous work ethic and uncompromising commitment to his art, spending hours at a time with his subjects in order to capture every nuance of their being.

Lucian Freud passed away in 2011 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate in the world of contemporary art. His paintings are celebrated for their honesty, their intensity, and their profound insight into the human soul, ensuring that Freud's influence will endure for generations to come.