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Frank Auerbach: The Sitters

Past exhibition
23 September - 16 December 2022 Piano Nobile
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Summary
Nicola Bensley, Frank Auerbach in his studio I, 2015
Nicola Bensley, Frank Auerbach in his studio I, 2015

Frank Auerbach: The Sitters is the first dedicated overview of the artist's portrait heads. Including over forty paintings and drawings, the exhibition explores the special connection between Auerbach and his 'sitters' - the dedicated models who have attended weekly sessions over months, years, then decades. 

A range of work made between 1956 and 2020 will be on display. Early portraits of his long-serving sitters 'E.O.W.' and 'J.Y.M.' will hang with recent self-portraits and a painting of his wife Julia, exhibited here for the first time. Paintings and drawings of all Auerbach's regular models will be shown, from Gerda Boehm and Helen Gillespie to Catherine Lampert, his son Jake, David Landau and William Feaver. These images quiver with animation, translating the artist's raw visual sensations into forms that convey with unexpected specificity a sitter's character and physical presence.

 

Shown together for the first time as part of the exhibition, Nicola Bensley's significant photographs of the artist in his studio provide a rare insight into Auerbach's world. The series Frank Auerbach: A Morning in the Studio opens a window onto the artist's character and his paint-encrusted working environment.

 

The accompanying publication provides an essential guide to Auerbach's portraits. It includes a complete list of the artist’s sitters compiled here for the first time, an essay by William Feaver describing the experience of sitting, and an interview with Martin Gayford in which Auerbach explains his process. The publication also explores the artist's friendship with the art historian Michael Podro, with a personal memoir by Podro's daughter Natasha.

 

For further information and press enquiries please contact the gallery. 

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Video
Works
  • Frank Auerbach, Head of Julia II, 1960
    Frank Auerbach, Head of Julia II, 1960
  • Frank Auerbach, Head of Gerda Boehm, 1965
    Frank Auerbach, Head of Gerda Boehm, 1965
  • Frank Auerbach, Head of Laurie Owen I, 1973
    Frank Auerbach, Head of Laurie Owen I, 1973
  • Frank Auerbach, Head of J.Y.M. - Profile V, 1987
    Frank Auerbach, Head of J.Y.M. - Profile V, 1987
  • Frank Auerbach, Head of William Feaver, 2008
    Frank Auerbach, Head of William Feaver, 2008
  • Frank Auerbach, Reclining Head of Julia, 2020
    Frank Auerbach, Reclining Head of Julia, 2020
  • Nicola Bensley, Frank Auerbach in his studio (1), 2015
    Nicola Bensley, Frank Auerbach in his studio (1), 2015
  • Nicola Bensley, Frank Auerbach in his studio (3), 2015
    Nicola Bensley, Frank Auerbach in his studio (3), 2015
  • Nicola Bensley, Frank Auerbach in his studio (4), 2015
    Nicola Bensley, Frank Auerbach in his studio (4), 2015
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Media
Publications
  • Frank Auerbach

    Frank Auerbach

    The Sitters 2022 Hardback 176 pages
    Publisher: Piano Nobile Publications
    ISBN: 9781901192629
    Read more
Events
  • A Sense of the Underneath: Appreciating the Evolution of Frank Auerbach's Drawing Practices

    A Sense of the Underneath: Appreciating the Evolution of Frank Auerbach's Drawing Practices

    Dr Kate Aspinall 22 Oct 2022
    Gallery Talk by Dr Kate Aspinall Dr Kate Aspinall is an independent historian, writer and artist. Her research explores the cultural and intellectual history of Anglo-American drawing practices. She has contributed to a new publication released by Yale University Press this month, Frank Auerbach: Drawings of People, which explores Auerbach's...
    Read more
  • William Feaver & Matthew Travers In Conversation

    William Feaver & Matthew Travers In Conversation

    Royal Drawing School | Conversation Series 9 Nov 2022
    As part of the Royal Drawing School Converstaion Series William Feaver and Matthew Travers will discuss Frank Auerbach’s portrait paintings and drawings and explore the experience of sitting. The online discussion will also include a walk around of Piano Nobile's current exhibition Frank Auerbach The Sitters. The event will begin...
    Read more
  • Film Screening and Panel Discussion

    Film Screening and Panel Discussion

    The Soho Hotel 14 Nov 2022
    The event marks the launch of Frank Auerbach: The Sitters, a book published to coincide with the gallery's current exhibition. The evening will begin with a screening of the film Frank Auerbach: To the Studio, followed by a panel discussion with Jake Auerbach, Hannah Rothschild and Catherine Lampert. First aired...
    Read more
Installation Views
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  • 008A6707
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  • 008A6903
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Press
  • Frank Auerbach on the Rise

    Frank Auerbach on the Rise

    Melanie Gerlis, The Financial Times Read more
  • The Asking Price #1

    The Asking Price #1

    Interview with Matthew Travers Read more
  • Frank Auerbach to the Fore

    Frank Auerbach to the Fore

    Country Life Read more
  • Are you sitting comfortably? Auerbach will begin.

    Are you sitting comfortably? Auerbach will begin.

    The Art Newspaper Read more
  • InSight No. 111

    InSight No. 111

    Frank Auerbach | Head of Julia II Read more
  • Review of Frank Auerbach | The Sitters

    Review of Frank Auerbach | The Sitters

    The Oldie Read more
  • ‘Admiring oneself is such a waste of energy’: British art’s great survivor Frank Auerbach

    ‘Admiring oneself is such a waste of energy’: British art’s great survivor Frank Auerbach

    The Daily Telegraph Read more
  • InSight No. 110

    InSight No. 110

    Frank Auerbach | Reclining Head of Julia Read more
  • Auerbach: his models in focus

    Auerbach: his models in focus

    Antiques Trade Gazette Read more
  • A Long Look

    A Long Look

    Camden New Journal Read more

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