Lucian Freud Herbarium

Lucian Freuds portraits are known for their spectacular detail and unflinching gaze. Although Freud brought the same qualities to his paintings and drawings of plants, flowers, and landscapes, these are largely unknown. This elegant book shows how working with plants emboldened Freud to experiment with style and composition. Reproduced in sumptuous plates that allow readers to indulge in exquisite detail, seventy-five works including Two Plants, Bananas, Cyclamen, The Painters Garden, and Interior at Paddington reveal Freuds singular approach to plant life. Readers unfamiliar with this aspect of Freuds work will find many similarities to his portraits earthy palettes, unconventional rawness, and assiduous attention to detail. From the delicate realism of the cyclamens petals to the bold brushstrokes that immortalize his overgrown garden, readers will appreciate Freuds ability to portray plants in new and personal ways. Comparative illustrations from throughout art history accompany essays on the history of plants in art and an appreciation of Freuds oeuvre. This monograph is a tremendous contribution to Freuds legacy, one that will enrich his admirers discernment while also introducing his thoroughly original depictions of plants to a new audience.