Frank Auerbach, the brilliant British-German painter renowned for his thickly painted portraits and emotive London street scenes, passed away on Monday at the age of 93 at his home in London. His passing has sent ripples through the art world, with many reflecting on his influential career, which spanned more than seven decades. Auerbach's gallery, Frankie Rossi Art Projects, shared the news, stating they had lost "a dear friend and remarkable artist" but find solace knowing his artistic voice will resonate for generations.
Born on April 29, 1931, Auerbach grew up amid the tumult of Nazi Germany. His Jewish parents sent him to England as part of the Kindertransport scheme, aimed at protecting children from the oppressive regime. Tragically, both parents were later killed in the Auschwitz concentration camp. After arriving in London at the age of eight, Auerbach faced immense loss and upheaval, themes reflected throughout his artistic career.
Following his arrival, he attended several art schools, including St. Martin's School of Art and the Royal College of Art, where he honed his craft. Auerbach's artistic style was characterized by its intensity and uncompromising dedication; he painted nearly every day, reportedly working all but one day each year when he’d venture to Brighton for sea air. This relentless work ethic became synonymous with his creative process, leading to images layered with paint, often during lengthy sessions with his models.
Auerbach's dedication to his subjects, primarily the people close to him and the streets surrounding his north London studio, became his hallmark. His portraits depict his long-term model Estella Olive West, among others. Known for using thick layers of impasto, Auerbach's style walked the line between abstraction and recognizable forms. His approach turned heads—sometimes requiring gallery assistants to display his paintings flat to prevent them from slipping off the wall.
Critics have described his creations as possessing the quality of sculpture, with one recalling how his application of paint was "thicker even than van Gogh’s." His pieces often feature blurred outlines and heavily textured backgrounds, where faces can merge with swirling colors. Auerbach himself humorously noted, "I estimate 95 percent of my paint ends up in the bin." This reflects his continuous search for innovative expression, as he frequently rehearsed different aesthetic methods until he achieved unexpected results.
Throughout his career, Auerbach received several prestigious accolades, including the Golden Lion at the 1986 Venice Biennale, where he represented Britain. His retrospective exhibitions showcased his evolution, and his work was regularly displayed across major galleries globally, including Tate Britain, which held one of his significant retrospectives. Notably, his painting "Mornington Crescent," inspired by the Camden streets he knew well, sold at auction for $7.1 million, marking his place among the world’s top artists.
Despite his acclaim, Auerbach preferred the sanctity of his studio over public attention, often expressing frustration with media interruptions. “My only ambition is to make one memorable image,” he once claimed, highlighting his singular focus on his artistic vision. His life and work were so intertwined with artistic intensity, capturing the postwar British painting scene alongside contemporaries like Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud.
His last titled show, "Frank Auerbach: The Charcoal Heads," exhibited earlier this year at London’s Courtauld Gallery, showcasing his continued relevance and innovative spirit within contemporary art. Auerbach continued to paint daily well until his passing, embodying the essence of his beloved art form until the very end.
Survived by his son, Jacob Auerbach, Frank Auerbach leaves behind not just memories, but also a legacy of dedication, transformation, and relentless inquiry within the world of painting. His influence is deeply etched within the fabric of British art, ensuring his presence will persist through the vibrant strokes of paint he left on canvas.
