22 July 2011

Lucian Freud : another colossus

"Now that I know what I want, I don't have to hold on to it quite so much."


"Since the model he so faithfully copies is not going to be hung up next to the picture... it is of no interest whether it is an accurate copy of the model."





 "As far as I am concerned the paint is the person. I want it to work for me just as flesh does."






"A painter's tastes must grow out of what so obsesses him in life that he never has to ask himself what it is suitable for him to do in art."





"I want paint to work as flesh.
"




"Painting is sometimes like those recipes where you do all manner of elaborate things to a duck, and then end up putting it on one side and only using the skin."











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10 comments:

  1. I do not know what to say but thank you for these great quotes. I am a great admirer of his art.

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  2. His words-as powerful I think as his art. That should be no surprise-however it speaks and since I know there are many tributes to him -this was important to add. thanks Bruce. pgt

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  3. I am in deep regard, at the passing of 2 such souls, in such a small time...Cy and now Lucian.
    I felt it hard today,
    on my little art student's soul.
    I also knew for quite certain, you would have the words to express,
    and that your brilliant words would offer a lovely balm and loving remembrance.
    Thank you for such.

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  4. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/23/arts/design/lucian-freud-painter-and-provocateur-appraisal.html?_r=1

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  5. I read about his death in the New York Times. They had a great article about him and his art. He truly was an important artist and certainly shook up the convention of portraiture. I enjoyed seeing photos of some of his most important portraits and the unique and honest (and disturbing to some) way he depicted his subjects. it is so inspiring to learn about a true original such as Lucian Freud. What a loss to the art world!

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  6. Thanks so much for your post. I had not realized that he had passed away. He was a true original spirit that will be sorely missed.

    Interestingly, I had just been reading some anecdotes about him in Deborah Mitford's memoir, "Wait for Me!".

    She was good friends with Lucian Freud, and wrote of how he often drove her around London when she was in town. "He was Mr. Toad, scarf and all, in his old but powerful car. He weaved its long body in and out of the swirling traffic, avoiding buses, bicycles and angry taxi drivers by inches.When I shouted, 'Slower.STOP.PLEASE,'he said, 'It's all right. They've all got brakes.'

    Thanks again for your wonderful post!

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  7. That's a fine selection of quotes, PGT; I always find nothing quite elucidates a creative's mindset as well as the candour of a good interview

    I was never very attached to Freud's work, but I freely admit that this is a loss

    Best as always,

    BON

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  8. a fellow blogger posted this and a video of the late Duke of Devonshire on his friend Lucian Freud. http://houseofbeautyandculture.blogspot.com/2011/07/king-is-dead.html

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  9. Thea. they are powerful words. Didn't they live to beautifully full ages-the wrinkles--- surely Freud loved them.

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  10. Sunday, Peloux, and as said-his words echo that work-they are very powerful

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