Lucian Freud dies aged 88

British artist Lucian Freud has died at the age of 88, his solicitor said.

In a statement, Diana Rawstron, who has represented Freud for many years, said: "Lucian Freud, artist, born 8 December 1922 in Berlin, died peacefully last night [Wednesday 20 July] at his home in London."

The painter, a towering figure in the art world for more than 50 years, died after an illness, his New York-based art dealer said.

William Acquavella said in a statement that he would mourn Freud the grandson of Sigmund Freud and brother of British television personality Clement Freud

 "as one of the great painters of the 20th century".

Mr Acquavella added: "He lived to paint and painted until the day he died, far removed from the noise of the art world."

Nicholas Serota, director of the Tate art gallery, said: "The vitality of his nudes, the intensity of the still life paintings and the presence of his portraits of family and friends guarantee Lucian Freud a unique place in the pantheon of late 20th century art.

"His early paintings redefined British art and his later works stand comparison with the great figurative painters of any period."

Report from the Guardian

Posted in: Artists