The UBS Art Collection holds more than 50 works by the acclaimed British artist Lucian Freud (1922-2011), representing one of the Collection’s notable pockets of depth. The exhibition at the UBS Art Gallery in New York brings together most of these works and marks the first time they are displayed collectively in the United States.
Lucian Freud is considered one of the most distinguished artists of the last century and the greatest portraitist of his time. While widely recognized as a painter, etchings are integral to the acclaimed British artist’s practice. The artist’s notoriously intense and disciplined approach extended to his process for etching. He would position the copper etching plate upright on an easel, like a canvas, creating his impressions while standing. Also, unlike other artists engaged in printmaking, Freud did not experiment with other techniques such as woodcuts or lithography; his practice was limited exclusively to etchings.
While the subjects of his prints often relate to certain paintings, the etchings were not derivative but created from life during extended sittings. His etchings are thus as intimate as his paintings, their linear constructions and croppings only heightening the sense of inherent tension. The simultaneous boldness and delicacy command our close attention and thought.
The etchings on display in this exhibition were created over the course of 18 years (1982-2000) and represent the most fruitful period of the artist’s graphic production. Marking a prolific phase in Freud's graphic work, the large body of etchings encompass various genres including landscapes, portraits, and nudes. The exhibition will also feature two compelling oil paintings - 'Double Portrait’ (1988–90) and ‘Head of a Naked Girl’ (1999) - that are indicative of his expressive style.
“We are pleased to share with the public this exceptional body of work, which defies perceived norms of corporate collecting,” said Mary Rozell, Global Head of the UBS Art Collection. “Like most of Freud’s oeuvre, the artworks on display are uncompromising and challenging to view, and we hope they will spark both conversation and introspection.”
“Lucian Freud: Works from the UBS Art Collection” is on view from February 1, 2024 at the UBS Art Gallery at 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York.
