Famed Painter Frank Auerbach, Who Fled Nazis, Dies at 93

Famed Painter Frank Auerbach, Who Fled Nazis, Dies at 93

November 12, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Entertainment

Frank Auerbach: A Leading Figurative Painter and Survivor of Nazi Persecution

Frank Auerbach, a renowned British-German painter, passed away on November 11, 2024, at the age of 93. Auerbach fled Nazi Germany in 1939, escaping to Britain through the Kindertransport program, and became one of the leading figures in the School of London, known for his intense and deeply personal paintings.

Early Life and Artistic Career

  • Born in Berlin: Frank Helmut Auerbach was born on April 29, 1931, to Max Auerbach, a patent lawyer, and Charlotte Nora Borchardt, who had trained as an artist[2].
  • Kindertransport: At seven years old, Auerbach left Germany via Hamburg and arrived in Southampton on April 7, 1939. His parents stayed behind and were later killed in the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1942[2].
  • Education and Early Influences:
    • Auerbach became a pupil at Bunce Court School in Kent, where he excelled not only in art but also in drama classes[2].
    • He later attended St Martin’s School of Art (1948-1952) and the Royal College of Art (1956-1963)[2] and [3].
  • Relationships with Artists:
    • Auerbach developed close relationships with artists like David Bomberg, Leon Kossoff, Lucian Freud, and Francis Bacon, all of whom influenced and supported his artistic journey[2] and [3].

Major Works and Exhibitions

  • Figurative Painting Style: Auerbach is known for his figurative paintings, focusing on portraits and city scenes around Camden Town in London[2].
  • Representation of History in Art: His work often referenced historical artists such as Rembrandt and Titian, influencing his unique style[2].
  • Exhibitions and Recognition:
    • A major retrospective of his work was held at Tate Britain in 2015-2016, curated by Catherine Lampert who also wrote about him in a book that provided an inside view of his career[2] and [3].

Personal Relationships and Legacy

  • Sitters: Auerbach had long-standing relationships with sitters like Julia Yardly Briggs Mills, who posed for him twice a week for 40 years[3].
  • Ownership of Artwork: David Bowie owned one of Auerbach’s paintings, "Head of Gerda Boehm," which was auctioned after Bowie’s death in 2016 for £3.8 million[2].

Auerbach continued to paint until the end of his life, driven by an intense desire to capture the essence of his subjects and the world around him. His legacy as a leading figurative painter and survivor of Nazi persecution remains significant in the art world.