Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting
In English, hardcover, 224 pages in colour, 23 x 2.5 x 29 cm, National Portrait Gallery, 12 February 2026
"Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting" is the UK's most comprehensive museum exhibition dedicated to the artist's works on paper, including some pieces on display for the first time. Lucian Freud (1922-2011) gained recognition as one of the most prominent British figurative painters, acclaimed for his portraits and nude studies of a clinical rawness and intense observation. Freud's working practice, his artistic techniques and processes, along with his dedication to the genre of portraiture, contribute to his popularity as an artist. The exhibition explores the artist's lifelong concern with the human face and figure, from the 1930s to the early twenty-first century, focusing on Freud's mastery of drawing in all its forms - from the pencil, pen and ink to charcoal and engraving. In addition, a carefully selected set of important paintings will reveal the dynamic dialogue between his practice on paper and canvas. Drawing into Painting is the first exhibition of Freud's work at the National Portrait Gallery since the major retrospective Lucian Freud Portraits in 2012, shortly after his death.
Freud: Drawing into Painting is the UK's most comprehensive museum exhibition to focus on the artist's works on paper, including some works seen on display for the first time. Lucian Freud (1922-2011) achieved recognition as one of Britain's foremost figurative painters, celebrated for his clinically raw and intensely observed portraits and nude studies. Freud's working practice, artistic techniques and processes, alongside his dedication to the genre of portraiture all contribute to his popularity as an artist. The exhibition explores the artist's lifelong preoccupation with the human face and figure from the 1930s to the early 21st century, focusing on Freud's mastery of drawing in all its forms - from pencil, pen, and ink to charcoal and etching. In addition, a carefully selected group of important paintings will reveal the dynamic dialogue between his practice on paper and on canvas. Drawing into Painting is the first exhibition of Freud's work at the National Portrait Gallery since the major retrospective Lucian Freud Portraits held in 2012, shortly after his death.
