The Lives of Lucian Freud: Fame

The Lives of Lucian Freud: Fame chronicles the later years of British painter Lucian Freud, from 1968 until his death in 2011. This biography represents the second volume of William Feaver's extensive documentation of Freud's life, drawing from decades of conversations between the author and artist. Feaver reconstructs Freud's rise to prominence in the international art world through interviews, letters, and observations from those in the painter's inner circle. The narrative tracks Freud's relationships, his painting process, and his interactions with subjects ranging from rock stars to royalty. The text explores Freud's complex family dynamics and traces the evolution of his distinctive portrait style during his most productive period. Feaver documents the artist's daily routines, his gambling habits, and the creation of paintings that would ultimately sell for record-breaking prices. Through this intimate portrait, larger themes emerge about artistic legacy, the nature of creative obsession, and the intersection of personal life with public recognition. The biography presents Freud as both an artist and a man, revealing the tensions between these dual identities.

Readers highlight Feaver's unfiltered access to Freud through their 30+ year friendship, with many noting the depth of personal details and candid conversations. Several reviews point to the value of hearing Freud's own words and perspectives on his work and relationships. Likes: - Intimate portrayal of Freud's daily routines and working methods - Coverage of his gambling habits and complex personal life - Documentation of his rise in the art market - Comprehensive research and archival materials Dislikes: - Dense writing style that can be hard to follow - Too much focus on Freud's social circle rather than his art - Excessive detail about minor events and people - Length (over 500 pages) feels repetitive to some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (56 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (122 ratings) Financial Times readers rated it one of the best art books of 2020. One reader noted: "Like eavesdropping on Freud's life - fascinating but sometimes exhausting in its detail."

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🎨 Lucian Freud was one of the highest-paid living artists of his time, with his painting "Benefits Supervisor Sleeping" selling for $33.6 million in 2008. 👨‍👦 The biography's subject was the grandson of Sigmund Freud and fled Nazi Germany with his family in 1933, settling in Britain at age 10. 📝 Author William Feaver conducted over 1,000 hours of recorded conversations with Lucian Freud, speaking with him nearly every day for decades until Freud's death in 2011. 🖌️ Freud was known for requiring his subjects to pose for hundreds of hours, sometimes taking more than a year to complete a single portrait. 🎭 The book reveals Freud's complex relationships with the British royal family, including painting Queen Elizabeth II's portrait in 2001—a work that sparked controversy for its unflattering depiction.