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.