A major collection of works by Frank Auerbach acquired for the nation
15 May 2014 12:54 PM
The most significant
private collection of works by one of Britain’s greatest living
artists, Frank Auerbach, has been accepted in lieu of tax by HM Government
for the nation and is to be shown in public for the first time, thanks to
the Acceptance in Lieu scheme.
The collection, which includes
15 works in oil and 29 works on paper, covers Auerbach’s artistic career
from the 1950s to the first decade of the 21st century. It was
put together by fellow British artist Lucian
Freud and reflects the high regard and admiration that they had for
another.
The Acceptance in Lieu scheme
allows those liable to death duties to pay the tax by offering works of
pre-eminent importance to the Nation. This is the third offer in lieu to have
been made from Lucian Freud’s estate and is the biggest ever offer in
lieu in the 100 year history of the scheme. Tax of £16,252,425 has been
settled by the acceptance of this collection.
The seven major portraits in the
collection include Head of Gerda
Boehm, 1964. This portrait is an outstanding example of
the artist’s unique technique which is almost sculptural in its use of
thick impasto. The sitter is Auerbach’s cousin, one of a select number of
friends and relatives which the artist painted over and over again. For
Auerbach, familiarity with the subject enabled a more intuitive way of painting
which led to a more expressive and direct encounter.
The works on paper range from
fine finished portraits to intimate hand-made birthday cards of great charm and
inventiveness sent from Auerbach to Lucian Freud.
The Acceptance in Lieu Panel,
chaired by Edward Harley, advises ministers on the whether offers should be
accepted. It is delighted that this great collection of works has been saved
for the British public.
Alan Davey, Chief
Executive, Arts Council England, said:
‘The Acceptance in Lieu
scheme continues to enrich the nation’s public collections and we are
delighted that Lucian Freud’s estate has made this third
offer. Those visiting the Manchester City Art
Gallery and Tate Britain over the
coming months will be able to enjoy this wonderful collection of Frank
Auerbach’s work for the first time, seeing the work of one great artist
through the collecting lens and enthusiasm of another.’
Highlights from this collection
will be put on public display at Manchester City Art Gallery
from 17 May to 10 August. The whole collection will then
be displayed at Tate Britain from 25 August to 2 November
2014. After these displays the works will be permanently allocated to
public museums and galleries throughout the UK.