German painter who changed British art dies at 93 in his beloved Camden studio
A master of thick-paint technique‚ **Frank Auerbach** spent seven decades creating art in the same tiny London studio. His unique style and dedication to painting made him one of Britains most important post-war artists
Frank Auerbach‚ who passed away yesterday at 93‚ transformed painting with his unique thick-paint method that made his work look like sculpture. Born in Berlin he escaped Nazi Germany as a child and became part of Londonʼs art scene (though he wasnt much for socializing with other famous painters like Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon)
His tiny Camden studio became his home for about 70 years - a paint-splattered space where he worked everyday. The artist followed a strict schedule: morning sketches of empty streets‚ afternoon shopping and evening portrait sessions with models. One of his favourite subjects was Estella West who sat for him for over 20 years; their relationship went beyond artist and model despite their 15-year age gap
Art is not a craft‚ but a philosophical inquiry
His technique was special - he put paint straight from tubes onto canvas creating thick layers that looked like 3d objects. Sometimes heʼd work on one painting for years scraping off paint and starting over until he got it right. His studio (as described by critic Robert Hughes) was a dark messy place with paint everywhere dusty mirrors and piles of books
Born to a Jewish family in 1931‚ he came to England as a refugee in 39. His parents didnt survive the Holocaust - their letters just stopped coming. He studied at several art schools where David Bomberg taught him about arts true meaning. Success came in the mid-70s when British people started paying attention to local artists instead of American ones. Even after his paintings started selling for huge amounts (about £200‚000 in the 80s) he kept his simple life in Camden never taking holidays or getting a phone
- The Tate
- The National Gallery
- The British Museum
- Metropolitan Museum
- Museum of Modern Art
Despite his sad-looking face he could talk well and knew lots of poetry. He kept painting until the end thinking that real art comes from fighting with tradition. His marriage to Julia Wolstenhome had ups and downs but they stayed together living separate lives - him in his studio her in Finsbury Park
