Lucian Freud Quotes

Powerful Lucian Freud for Daily Growth

About Lucian Freud

Lucian Sigismund Freud (1922-2011) was a prominent British painter known for his psychological portraits and exploration of the human form. Born in Berlin to Jewish parents, Freud moved to the United Kingdom with his family in 1933 to escape Nazi persecution. Freud's artistic journey began under the tutelage of his father, Sigmund Freud, the renowned psychoanalyst. However, it was during his time at the Central School of Art and Crafts (now Central Saint Martins) in London that he truly discovered his passion for painting. He later studied at Goldsmiths College and the Royal Academy Schools. Influenced by his family's art collection and the works of artists like Rembrandt, van Gogh, and Francis Bacon, Freud developed a unique style characterized by thick impasto, rich colors, and a focus on the psychological and emotional aspects of his subjects. His most famous works include portraits of friends, family, and fellow artists such as 'Ben Nicholson with a Cup Inscribed "Sadie"' (1952), 'Girl with a White Dog' (1950-1951), and 'Naked Man Sleeping on a Sofa' (1987). Freud's career spanned over six decades, during which he was awarded the Order of Merit in 2001, one of the highest distinctions for achievement in the arts. He was also knighted in 1951, becoming Sir Lucian Freud. Despite his success and fame, Freud remained a private individual, preferring to focus on his art rather than the limelight. His works continue to be celebrated worldwide, offering profound insights into human nature through the medium of paint.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"A work is a success if it makes you wonder about what you're looking at."

This quote by Lucian Freud suggests that a piece of art is successful when it prompts viewers to question their perception or understanding of the subject matter, thereby engaging them in an intellectual and visual dialogue. It implies that the artist's work has not only captured the essence of the subject but also sparked curiosity, stimulating deeper thought among its audience. In essence, Freud believed that a successful artwork invites contemplation and fosters wonder, thus enhancing our connection with the world around us.

"The job is not finished until you say it is."

This quote by Lucian Freud emphasizes the artist's responsibility to complete their work fully, according to their own standards, before declaring it finished. It implies that artistic creation is a continual process of refinement, and the artist must exercise control over when the work reaches its intended quality or purpose, rather than letting external factors dictate its conclusion. Essentially, it highlights the importance of personal satisfaction and commitment in the creative process.

"One doesn't paint things as they are; one paints them as one sees them or feels them to be."

This quote by Lucian Freud implies that artistic representation is a subjective interpretation of reality, not an exact replication. The artist does not merely reproduce what they see, but rather conveys their personal perspective or emotions about the subject, thus creating an unique expression of the world as experienced through their eyes and heart.

"Art is the only way I know to tell the truth about things as I see them."

Lucian Freud's quote highlights the unique ability of art, as a medium, to reveal truths about the world and human experience in a profound and unfiltered manner. As artists observe and interpret their surroundings, they are able to convey the essence and raw nature of reality that often eludes conventional modes of communication. Thus, for Freud, art serves not only as an expression of personal vision but also as a vessel for truth-telling, offering viewers a glimpse into the world from the artist's perspective.

"It's a very complex business, being born."

This quote suggests that the act of birth is not just a physical event but a deeply intricate process encompassing emotional, psychological, and social dimensions. Being born means entering a vast and complex world where one must learn to navigate relationships, understand oneself, and adapt to societal norms and expectations - all while growing and maturing as an individual. This quote invites us to appreciate the profound complexity of human existence and the journey that each person embarks on at birth.

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.

- Lucian Freud

Art, Grow, Him, Tastes

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.

- Lucian Freud

Recipes, Side, Elaborate, Duck

You ask why I'm fascinated by the human figure? As a human animal, I am interested in some of my fellow animals: in their minds and bodies.

- Lucian Freud

Some, Figure, Bodies, Animal

The paintings that really excite me have an erotic element or side to them irrespective of subject matter.

- Lucian Freud

Side, Paintings, Subject, Excite

Full, saturated colours have an emotional significance I want to avoid.

- Lucian Freud

Want, Emotional, Saturated, Significance

The longer you look at an object, the more abstract it becomes, and, ironically, the more real.

- Lucian Freud

Real, More, Longer, Abstract

The aura given out by a person or object is as much a part of them as their flesh.

- Lucian Freud

Person, Part, Given, Object

I remember Francis Bacon would say that he felt he was giving art what he thought it previously lacked. With me, it's what Yeats called the fascination with what's difficult. I'm only trying to do what I can't do.

- Lucian Freud

Thought, Giving, I Remember, Francis

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

- Lucian Freud

Work, Want, Concerned, Flesh

I want paint to work as flesh.

- Lucian Freud

Work, Want, Paint, Flesh

The painter must give a completely free rein to any feeling or sensations he may have and reject nothing to which he is naturally drawn.

- Lucian Freud

Give, May, Which, Rein

A painter must think of everything he sees as being there entirely for his own use and pleasure.

- Lucian Freud

Think, Pleasure, Use, Being There

There is a distinction between fact and truth. Truth has an element of revelation about it. If something is true, it does more than strike one as merely being so.

- Lucian Freud

Fact, More, Distinction, Element

The model should only serve the very private function for the painter of providing the starting point for his excitement.

- Lucian Freud

Private, Very, Providing, Excitement

Whether it will convince or not, depends entirely on what it is in itself, what is there to be seen.

- Lucian Freud

Will, Depends, Itself, Entirely

And, since the model he faithfully copies is not going to be hung up next to the picture, since the picture is going to be there on its own, it is of no interest whether it is an accurate copy of the model.

- Lucian Freud

Next, Faithfully, Accurate, Hung

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.

- Lucian Freud

Next, Faithfully, Accurate, Hung

I never think about my style but just try and make the pictures look believable.

- Lucian Freud

Think, Never, About, Believable

I would wish my portraits to be of the people, not like them. Not having a look of the sitter, being them.

- Lucian Freud

Wish, Having, Would, Sitter

The character of the artist doesn't enter into the nature of the art.

- Lucian Freud

Art, Character, Artist, Enter

The picture is all he feels about it, all he thinks worth preserving of it, all he invests it with. If all the qualities which a painter took from the model for his picture were really taken, no person could be painted twice.

- Lucian Freud

Feels, Which, Took, Qualities

I am only interested in painting the actual person, in doing a painting of them, not in using them to some ulterior end of art. For me, to use someone doing something not native to them would be wrong.

- Lucian Freud

Doing, Some, Actual, Native

I paint people not because of what they are like, not exactly in spite of what they are like, but how they happen to be.

- Lucian Freud

Happen, How, Spite, Paint

My work is purely autobiographical... It is about myself and my surroundings.

- Lucian Freud

Work, Myself, Purely, Surroundings

The painter's obsession with his subject is all that he needs to drive him to work.

- Lucian Freud

Needs, Painter, His, Obsession

When I look at a body it gives me choice of what to put in a painting, what will suit me and what won't.

- Lucian Freud

Me, Painting, Will, Suit

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