Lucian Freud

A video I found on youtube of a rare interview with the late artist Lucian Freud, arguably the greatest realist painter of the 20th and 21st century. An aspect of his work which I respect is its ability to appeal to the wider society, people both involved in 'the art world' and those who are not. In comparison to some contemporary art exhibited today it is uncomplicated and to some degree unambiguous. Is it not enough to just appreciate a piece of artwork purely based on visuals and enjoy portraiture for what it is? (Especially to enjoy it portrayed with such an immensity of skill as demonstrated by Freud.)

This is not to say that Freud's work has no depth, his works are thought provoking, the potential for further meaning is present, but above all over things, for me, they are indulgent.

I think his work will always feel relevant; as individual tastes change, society alters and evolves and styles come in and out of fashion, Freuds' paintings will continue to have relevance.The human figure is (quite literally,) laid bare; flesh and human emotion displayed poetically (not to contradict my earlier statement,) yet subtly.

Below are a small number of quotes I noted from the interview which I found of interest: (Hopefully the quotes can help to partially contextualise some of what I have said here also.)

Freud:
'I'm not very analytical, I mean i'm self questioning but only up to a point. It's Hard to say. It's to do with the days going by...
 I never think about technique in anything, I think it holds you up. I think that if things look wrong or ugly in a way which actually clogs the information or feeling you're trying to convey then obviously you're going about it the wrong way.'

Do you find that (your) different moods effect the way that you paint?

Well I try and keep as calm as I can in ways, on the occasion that things go well I try and recreate circumstances, similar ones, hoping that the results will be similar; but it doesn't of course work. but I often think of what I've eaten or haven't and to do with the number of hours I've slept, all sorts of things.

Do you have aspirations or wishes as to how people react to the work?

No I don't care at all. I hope a lot of people will go. I'm fairly immune to praise and abuse, but there are many few number of people where what they think would count a lot for me.

Do you think of other artists at all when you are hanging an exhibition?

I hardly ever hang them, people are kind enough to help me. I'm rather like a car that seems to be driving along but infact is being quietly pushed by someone else who knows exactly which way to go.

Have you used paintings of the past to maybe solve problems that you have with paintings that you're doing?

Not in a direct way but I go to the National Gallery rather like going to a doctor, for help. It's really to reaffirm my belief in something which in my head cease to be plausible at the time that I go, so I go with a certain urgency.

'If you're painting humans you've got the best subject matter in the world. You can do as much with them as they can do themselves.'


Parts 2-5 of the interview are available on Youtube.