34 - LUCIAN FREUD (1922–2011)

LUCIAN FREUD (1922–2011) Portrait Head, 2005 (Treves, 108) Etching on Somerset wove paper Signed with initials and numbered 22/46 in pencil Published by Acquavella Contemporary Art, New York Printed by Marc Balakjian at Studio Prints, London Image: 40 x 31.9 cm Sheet: 61.5 x 51.3 cm Etching on Somerset wove paper, signed with the initials and numbered 22/46 in pencil, printed by Marc Balakjian at Studio Prints, London, published by Acquavella Contemporary Art, New York Footnotes: Provenance Acquired directly from the publisher by the current owner Bibliography Toby Treves, Lucian Freud: Catalogue Raisonné of the Prints, London, Modern Art Press, 2022, similar work reproduced on page 262, under no. 108 Solo Exhibitions Museo Correr, Venice, 2005, no. 91 (proof), reproduced. Acquavella Contemporary Art, New York, 2006, no. 15, reproduced. Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, 2007–2008, traveling exhibition in Ireland, Denmark, and the Netherlands, unnumbered, reproduced. Newcastle Region Art Gallery, Australia, 2007, traveling exhibition in Australia, unnumbered. Museum of Modern Art, New York, 2007–2008, unnumbered, reproduced. Beck & Eggeling Gallery, Düsseldorf, 2009, unnumbered. James Hyman Gallery, London, 2009, no. 32, no catalog. Daniel Blau Gallery, Munich, 2011, unnumbered, reproduced. Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand, 2013–2014, unnumbered, reproduced. Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, 2016–2021, unnumbered, reproduced. (according to Toby Treves) *Portrait Head* depicts the art critic Martin Gayford. Freud began this etching in 2004, after completing the painting *Man with a Blue Scarf*. The work continued over the course of numerous sitting sessions spread out over several months. Freud paid particular attention to his model’s clothing, notably a light gray shirt whose fabric helped modulate the effects of light. Before the plate was etched, it fell from the easel and was scratched. Freud chose to preserve these marks and incorporate them into the composition. The tone of the plate was then adjusted to accentuate the portrait’s sense of depth and modeling. The etching was printed on Somerset Textured White paper in an edition of 46 copies, supplemented by 12 artist’s proofs, 2 printer’s proofs and 1 final proof, as well as several unnumbered artist’s proofs and test prints. “Portrait Head” depicts the art critic Martin Gayford. Freud began the etching in 2004, after completing the painting “Man with a Blue Scarf.” The work evolved over numerous sittings spread across several months. Freud paid particular attention to the sitter’s clothing, notably a light-gray shirt whose fabric contributed to the modulation of light across the image. Before the plate was etched, it fell from the easel and was scratched. Freud chose to retain these marks and incorporate them into the composition. The tone of the plate was subsequently adjusted to enhance the sense of depth and modeling in the portrait. The etching was printed on Somerset Textured White paper in an edition of 46, supplemented by 12 Artist’s Proofs, 2 Printer’s Proofs, and 1 Bon à tirer, along with several unnumbered Artist’s Proofs and trial proofs. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * AR * VAT on imported items at the preferential rate (currently 5.5%) on the hammer price and buyer’s premium for works of art, collectibles, and antiques if the item remains within the EU. VAT on imported items at the reduced rate (currently 5.5%) applied to the hammer price and buyer’s premium for works of art, collectibles, and antiques, provided the item remains within the European Union. AR: Goods subject to the artist’s resale right, payable by the buyer. For further information on this lot, please visit Bonhams.com