London mourns the passing of renowned artist Frank Auerbach, who left behind a legacy as one of the foremost painters of the 20th century. Auerbach, who fled Nazi Germany as a child, died peacefully at the age of 93 on November 11, 2024, at his home, as confirmed by his gallery, Frankie Rossi Art Projects.
Born on April 29, 1931, to Jewish parents in Berlin, Auerbach's early life was marked by turmoil and tragedy. At just seven years old, he was sent to England on one of the Kindertransport trains, which aided Jewish children escaping the horrors of Nazi Germany. This moment marked the last time he would see his parents, who were both murdered at Auschwitz during the Holocaust.
After arriving in England, Auerbach found solace and nurture at the Bunce Court School, where he cultivated his passion for art and drama. Despite the absence of familial support, he demonstrated exceptional talent, continuing his studies at St. Martin’s School of Art from 1948 to 1952 and then at the Royal College of Art until 1955. During this time, he honed his craft under the mentorship of influential artists, particularly David Bomberg, whose expressive style left a lasting impression on Auerbach.
Upon completing his education, Auerbach began showcasing his artwork at various galleries, with his first solo exhibition held at Beaux Arts Gallery. Over the following years, he developed his signature approach: thick, expressive layers of paint applied vigorously to canvas, often scraping away previous layers to start anew. This method not only reflected his artistic vision but also revealed his deep emotional ties to his subjects, many of whom were his close friends and family.
Auerbach became part of the School of London, alongside other legendary artists such as Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon. This collective of post-war artists rejected contemporary art trends favoring abstraction, instead opting for a return to figurative forms, imbuing their works with rich emotional narratives. Their dedication may have seemed at odds with the growing popularity of minimalism and conceptualism, but it firmly established their positions within the art world.
Despite the trials of his early life, Auerbach's works, often depicting the streets and parks of Camden Town, gained recognition slowly yet steadily. It wasn't until the late 1970s, following his first retrospective at London's Hayward Gallery, when he began to receive widespread acclaim. He represented Britain at the Venice Biennale and was awarded the prestigious Golden Lion for best artist.
Auerbach's paintings often leaned toward the dark and brooding, yet they encapsulated the beauty of everyday life transformed through his unique perspective. His ability to create near-abstract compositions laden with emotional resonance made each canvas reveal layers of intrigue. Critics have praised his work for its originality and depth, encapsulating the perpetual struggle between aspiration and reality.
One poignant aspect of Auerbach's body of work is the steadfast connection to his friends and relatives, who served as enduring muses. Among them were his wife, Julia Wolstenholme, and model Estella Olive West, with whom he shared passionate relationships. He was known for his intense work ethic, famously dedicative to painting—often seven days and five nights a week—limiting his time off to just one day annually, usually spent along the coastal town of Brighton.
Reflecting on his art, Auerbach once remarked, "I've been extraordinarily lucky. If I hadn't been able to devote myself to painting, I'd have felt I had wasted my life.” This dedication allowed him to continuously evolve and reinvent his approach, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when he pivoted to self-portraiture. His last notable exhibition, showcasing charcoal heads, opened at the Courtauld Gallery early this year, highlighting his commitment to artistry even later in life.
His work not only paved the way for artistic innovation but also significantly raised auction prices—the pinnacle being the sale of "Mornington Crescent," which fetched £5.56 million (approximately $7 million), setting the record for Auerbach.
Upon his passing, condolences poured in from the art community, emphasizing the tremendous impact Auerbach had on contemporary art. Geoffrey Parton, director of his gallery, expressed deep sorrow: "We have lost a dear friend and remarkable artist but take comfort knowing his voice will resonate for generations to come.”
Survived by his son, Jacob Auerbach, Auerbach's legacy is assuredly substantial. His works remain timeless, continuing to evoke and challenge the world and viewers well beyond his years. His life’s contribution encapsulated the resilience of the human spirit, both as an artist and as someone who, having fled the horrors of war, painted the world through the lens of his unforgettable experience.
Auerbach’s death is not merely the loss of an artist; it signifies the end of an era. His paint-smeared canvases are silent testimonies to his tumultuous life, forever encapsulating the balance of beauty and darkness, which he so expertly navigated throughout his remarkable career.
