Author: Giovanni Aloi
Publisher: Prestel
ISBN: 9783791385334
Binding: hardcover
Pages: 176
Format: 25.8 x 31.4 x 2.4 cm
English language
Lucian Freud's portraits are known for their spectacular detail and unflinching gaze. Although Freud brought the same qualities to his paintings and drawings of plants, flowers, and landscapes, these are largely unknown. This elegant book shows how working with plants encouraged Freud to experiment with style and composition. Reproduced in sumptuous plates that allow readers to enjoy exquisite detail, seventy-five works—including Two Plants, Bananas, Cyclamen, The Painter's Garden, and Interior at Paddington—reveal Freud's singular approach to plant life.
Readers unfamiliar with this aspect of Freud's work will find many similarities to his portraits: earthy palettes, unconventional rawness, and assiduous attention to detail. From the delicate realism of the cyclamen petals to the bold brushstrokes that immortalize his overgrown garden, readers will appreciate Freud's skill in portraying plants in new and personal ways. Comparative illustrations from throughout art history accompany essays on the history of plants in art and an appreciation of Freud's work. This monograph is a major contribution to Freud's legacy, one that will enrich the insight of his admirers while introducing his entirely original depictions of plants to a new audience.
