Want to know about Lucian Freud’s controversy? It’s been more than a decade since the British painter passed away. However, the revelations of his sexual scandals are still ruling the internet. A major exhibition in London asked viewers to ignore Lucian Freud’s tumultuous life and concentrate on his versatile paintings.
Lucian Freud is still considered one of the foremost 20th-century English portraitists. Little did you know, that during the Second World War, he served at sea with the Merchant Navy.
He was born in Berlin, Germany. Some of Lucian Freud’s notable works are listed as Cedric Morris, Portrait of Kitty, and Benefits Supervisor Sleeping. The last one was sold at an auction for $33.6 million in 2008.
Talking more about him, Lucian Freud was one of the best-known British artists working in a representational style. Not to forget to mention, he even got shortlisted for the Turner Prize back in 1989. He even made a portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II, which earned criticism for some parts.
Coming back to Lucian Freud’s controversy, it was mainly due to his personal life. One must note that the British painter tied the knot twice in his lifetime. They were Kathleen Epstein and Lady Caroline Blackwood.
He was done with his failed marriages by 1959. But, the revelations of his sexual relationships played its role throughout. Lucian Freud’s controversy started from his portraits. What was it all about?
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Lucian Freud’s Controversy: Everything To Know
Lucian Freud had “repeatedly entered into sexual relations with young girls.” Not just that, he even married a couple of them, as mentioned above, and served as the father of their children.
It was known Lucian Freud had countless (as many as 500 in number) romantic interests and fathered a minimum of 14 children in his life.
Lucian used to reject anything that would interfere with his independence. That included both the monogamy in his relationships and the traditional roles of raising children.
Lucian Freud was considered the master of nudism portrayals in his paintings. He even used his daughters for his nude portraits. Do you remember “Bella”? It is the portrait of his then-21-year-old daughter, lying on a crumpled pillow and sheet.
Another one is the “Naked Child Laughing.” It is of his daughter, Annie, on a sofa. Both of these portraits are technically nude. But, it said that the “composition is tender and modest rather than erotic.”
Despite the originality and intensity, some of Lucian Freud’s paintings sparked controversy as disliked by many people. Some even reflected on his sexual relationships with multiple women.
It was reported that Lucian’s older daughters held the position of entering into a tacit and mutual contract with the artist. The sittings used to be punishable at times, as they lasted for several hours.
After several years, more precisely in 209, one of Lucian Freud’s daughters, Rose Boyt, opened up about her sitting with the artist. She was just 18 years old when posing naked for her father.
She used to feel “Angry and exhilarated, outraged by the terms and conditions, honored to have been chosen.” But, it was “inspirational” to spend time with him.
Not everyone knows, Lucian Freud was very particular and had certain rules for his models. They weren’t allowed to tans, dye their hair, or put on nail polish. He had the urge to paint human flesh and bodies.
Well, Lucian Freud’s controversy didn’t end here. It also happened when he denied painting a full-length nude model. Several years ago, a Swiss collector purchased the portrait at an auction. But the British painter called him and asked to get it from him, which he refused.
After some days, he also shared that he would not accept it as his painting. Lucian became aggressive and used harsh words, too. To be more particular about the painting is titled – “Standing Male Nude.” Several studies reported that it is Lucian’s. The scandals resulting from Lucian Freud’s paintings seem to be never-ending.
