Hazlitt Holland-Hibbert are proud to announce the exhibition of an important selection of photographs of Lucian Freud in his studio. Freud is not only the most celebrated artist working in England but one of the most private and he has frequently stated his reluctance to be photographed, allowing only two photographers access to his studio in the past twenty years, Bruce Bernard and David Dawson.
The late Bruce Bernard (1928-2000) was a friend for many years and the subject of two of Freud’s paintings. Bernard is probably best known as a great picture editor and a very fine photographer. A fellow habitué of London’s bohemian Soho in the 1950s, Bernard made a number of studies of Freud at work particularly during the years when he was working with Leigh Bowery as his model.
David Dawson (b.1960) is a painter and met Freud when he was working part-time for his then dealer, James Kirkman, in the late 1980s. He has been Freud’s assistant for fifteen years and over the last five years he has been photographing the artist exclusively. Dawson has also modelled for Freud, including the painting Sunny Morning – Eight Legs. He studied at Chelsea School of Art and the Royal College of Art.
This exhibition offers a fascinating insight into a contemporary master at work. Focusing on Freud’s studio, these photographs reveal various stages of work in progress, portrait sittings, studio visits and the overall intensity of activity in this very secret domain.
The exhibition coincides with a new publication of Freud at Work by Jonathon Cape, which includes a series of conversations between Lucian Freud and Sebastian Smee.
Ten selected prints by David Dawson will be released for sale.
For further press information at Hazlitt Holland-Hibbert please contact:
Vanessa Brodrick: tel +44 (0)20 7839 7600 email vmb@hh-h.com
