Freud at Work: In Conversation with Sebastian Smee Hardcover – October 24, 2006

If you are an admirer of Lucian Freud's work, this book should definitely have place in your library. It essentially comprises of 3 parts, opening with a very frank and insightful interview with Freud by Sebastian Smee. Followed by two collections of colour and b&w photographs by Bruce Bernard and David Dawson. They cover all aspects of Freud in the studio - photos of Freud larking around as a Henry Moore sculpture, works in progress (often including the model), finished paintings, his studio, his dogs, horses, foxcub, etching plates and resulting prints, series of WIP paintings showing the stages involved in their creation. Over 120 photos in all, with the vast majority being in colour. Lavishly illustrated.Smee, Bernard, and Dawson all had/have a close association with Freud and for me that's what makes this book so special. Throughout Freud is just going about his business which is captured so wonderfully by the photographs. Bernard wanted to take carefully considered photographs but Freud was having none of that, to the point of literally doing headstands. Bernard died in 2000, around the time that Freud was working on his Cezanne piece. Dawson picks up the plot from there, with photo's through to 2006.For anyone interested in Frued's painting process, either out of curiosity or as an artist, the photo's provide a wealth of information. The adage "A picture is worth a 1000 words" could not be more apt. The Work in Progress photos range from the raw drawing on canvas through to the finish pieces. A number of WIP photos also include the model, allowing for comparison between the flesh and the oil. Along with his etching plates and the resulting prints.Smee's interview reads like a couple of guys chatting over a pint down the pub. Over his career (and long may it continue!) Freud has met and hung out with numerous famous figures - Picasso, Giacometti, Bacon, Hirst, Auerbach, Bergmann, Balthus, Bowery, Queen Elizabeth II, even gambling with the notorious Kray Twins (1950/60 gangsters from London's east end). Liberally populated with wonderful anecdotes. Freud also talks about the painters through history that he admires - Cezanne, Matisse, Corot, Chardin, Toulouse-Latrec and why. He touches upon living in London and anti-semitism, what led him to paint pictures of his mother, his grandfather Sigmund Freud, being sat at the bar and finding out that someone else was impersonating him - was he upset? Not really, he ended up painting the man's portrait.For someone who is reknowned for his privacy this book is exceptional. I'm sure Freud had a huge say in how the book would look and its contents. His pride in a job well done is most evident.If Freud is on your artistic radar, even as the merest blip, then do yourself a favour and own this book. Essential. 10 stars!

The media could not be loaded.  This book is a collection of photographs taken in Freud's studio of his work, himself and his sitters. It is a unique look at a private man and his famous work. Some pieces are shown in their developmental stages which are really interesting, along with the sitters in their original pose. You view exactly what Freud did as he painted them. It is more a photojournalistic look at an artist's life in his studio, rather than a book on the pieces the artist produced.Pages 11-42 open with a conversation with Freud by Sebastian Smee. Included are snippets of his relationship with Francis Bacon, his art and some of the canvases displayed further into the book as well as thoughts on other artists.The book is then divided into two. The first section displaying photos by Bruce Bernard (a picture editor and friend of Freud) while the second half are photos by David Dawson (the painter's assistant).Bruce Bernard's photos begin with his portrait in 1996 and finish with 'After Cezanne' in 2000. Bruce's images begin with a few poses of the painter and move on to Leigh bowery, 'fat' sue, nicole bateman and then the piece 'After Cezanne'. Bruce's photos are 'artsy' and therefore some colour renditions aren't exact and the odd one is given a grainy feel.David Dawson's photos begin where Bruce left off and finish with Sabina Donelly in 2006. It shows images of the Queen and 'The painter surprised by a naked admirer' amongst others. He has also included some etchings.The photos themselves are normally just under one page size with a few going over 2 pages, but this didn't compromise the images as so often it can do. There are approximately 128 photos.To sum up: I liked this book because I was able to see the canvases in their development, in their actual scale in the studio and the sitters themselves. In other words, the content was excellent. The only let down would be the quality of some of the images.I would not buy this book if I had no other books on Freud, but it is a great book to accompany other publications of his work as you view the background from which they came. A rare insight into his studio. I am very pleased I bought the book.240pp - Approximately 128 photos

See the models behind the paintings. Check out the painting that the wealthy owner of Chelsea football club acquired. The Queen and David Hockney actually sitting for Lucien. Genuinely interesting . I saw this book when house- sitting for a family member and knew I would want to return to it again.

Autore scostante e irritante come persona, ma quando prende i pennelli ti fa dimenticare tutto. Questo libro ti fa entrare dentro i suoi processi creativi

This is a great book. It could be a valuable addition to any art lover's library. It is richly illustrated with reproductions of artist's work as well as photographs from artist's studio.

THE BOOK IS VERY GOODI HAD THE BOOK IN FEW DAYSTHE PRICE IS GOODTHE BOOK HAS THE FEATURES SHOWN IN THE SITE