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Frank Auerbach in his Studio
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? Estate of Bruce Bernard

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Frank Auerbach in his Studio 2000
Bernard took this portrait of German-born British painter Frank Auerbach just a week before his own death. Auerbach left Nazi Germany and moved to England in 1939. He met Bernard in the 1950s and this portrait is one of several Bernard took of artists in their studios. It shows Auerbach looking directly into the camera with a somewhat grave, yet compassionate expression ? perhaps he was aware that Bernard did not have long left to live. The background features several sketches by Auerbach pinned to a wall and a large mirror with a length of cord looped over the edge. There is a sinister undertone to this composition as the cord reaches down Auerbach?s reflection like a noose about to be placed around his neck.

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Composition

The arrangement of different elements in a work of art.

Composition

Details

  • Acc. No. GMA 4703
  • Medium Silver bromide print on paper
  • Size 28.80 x 42.80 cm (paper 40.40 x 50.60 cm)
  • Credit Purchased by the Patrons of the National Galleries of Scotland 2003

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