Lucian Freud: Portraits

Self-portrait
image: Lucian Freud: Reflection, Self-portrait (1985)

Thru 27 May 2012

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'I've always wanted to create drama in my pictures, which is why I paint people. It's people who have brought drama to pictures from the beginning. The simplest human gestures tell stories.'
Lucian Freud

Lucian Freud (1922 – 2011) was one of the most important and influential artists of his generation. Paintings of people were central to his work and this major exhibition, spanning over seventy years, is the first to focus on his portraiture.

Produced in close collaboration with the late Lucian Freud, the exhibition concentrates on particular periods and groups of sitters which illustrate Freud's stylistic development and technical virtuosity. Insightful paintings of the artist's lovers, friends and family, referred to by the artist as the 'people in my life', will demonstrate the psychological drama and unrelenting observational intensity of his work.

Featuring 130 works from museums and private collections throughout the world, some of which have never been seen before, this is an unmissable opportunity to experience the work of one of the world's greatest artists.

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National Portrait Gallery

National Portrait Gallery

St Martin's Place, London, Greater London WC2H 0EH. +442073060055. http://www.npg.org.uk

Mon-Wed & Sat-Sun 10:00-18:00 Gallery closure commences at 5.50 Evening Openings Thur & Fri 10:00-9 Gallery closure commences at 8.50 Closed: 24-26 December

The world's largest collection of personalities and faces from Elizabeth I to David Beckham. Admission free

Who wants to see this?

  • Raphaëlle Heaf
  • Sarah Albany

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