Frank Auerbach, the celebrated British-German painter known for his thick, expressive brushstrokes and figurative style, has passed away at the age of 93.

His death, which occurred at his London home, marks the end of a remarkable seven-decade-long career.

Widely regarded as one of the finest artists of his generation, Auerbach’s legacy in the art world is profound.

A Refugee’s Journey

Born in Berlin in 1931, Auerbach fled Nazi Germany as a young child, arriving in England in 1939 as a refugee.

Sponsored by the writer Iris Origo, he was one of six children brought to safety and placed at Bunce Court, a school for Jewish refugees.

The school, located in Kent, was a haven founded by Anna Essinger to protect children from the rising threat of Hitler’s regime.

Auerbach’s recollections of his time there were fond, noting how the environment was free from oppressive adults, unlike the harsh circumstances his family faced under Nazi rule.

Tragically, his parents perished in a concentration camp, but Auerbach’s time at Bunce Court would shape much of his outlook on life and art.

Artistic Foundations

Auerbach’s passion for art blossomed during his studies at St. Martin’s School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London.

He dedicated his entire career to painting, residing and working in the same north London studio from 1954 until his passing

. A key figure in the “School of London,” alongside artists like Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud, Auerbach remained committed to figurative painting, defying the abstract trends of his time.

His work was characterized by intense layers of paint, often creating near-abstract, yet recognizably human, landscapes.

A Storied Career

Throughout his career, Auerbach exhibited his work at major galleries worldwide, including the Tate, the British Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

He represented Britain at the Venice Biennale in 1986, where he won the prestigious Golden Lion.

In 1995, he held a rare solo exhibition at the National Gallery, where he famously recreated masterpieces by Rubens and Titian.

His dedication to his craft was unmatched, working nearly every day of his life, often producing pieces inspired by the world around him, particularly the urban streets of Camden, where he lived his entire adult life.

The Enduring Influence of His Work

Even in his later years, Auerbach’s work continued to command attention and high prices.

His 2023 painting Mornington Crescent sold for a record $7.1 million at Sotheby’s.

His final exhibition, Frank Auerbach: The Charcoal Heads, opened at the Courtauld Gallery in London in February, showcasing his mastery until the very end.

Geoffrey Parton, director of Frankie Rossi Art Projects, expressed the art world’s loss, stating that while Auerbach may have passed, his influence would live on for generations.

Personal Life

Auerbach married Julia Wolstenholme in 1958, and the couple had one son, Jacob.

Though he had little interest in wealth or material possessions, Auerbach’s enduring commitment to his art, and his unique ability to capture both the human form and the world around him, ensures his legacy will resonate for many years to come.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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