Freud & Bowery

Lucian Freud Working on Leigh Bowery

For the third event, I chose the collaboration between Freud and Bowery. Their meeting was like a match made in heaven of mutual inspiration and collaboration. Freud was fascinated with the human form and sought subjects that challenged conventional beauty standards and instead offered something deeper that he found intriguing. He found the answers in Leigh Bowery with his daring performance, flamboyant costumes, and unadulterated ways of self-expression. Bowery stood out compared to Freud’s previous subjects. Freud and Bowery shared a mutual understanding of the pursuit of self-expression through various art forms. Bowery introduced Sue Tilley's “Big Sue” to Freud, who later painted several portraits of her one holding the record for the highest price paid for a painting by a living artist. One of Lucian Freud's most famous paintings is Benefits Supervisor Sleeping (1995), which captures Sue Tilley in a reclining position, asleep naked. The painting is characterized by its meticulous attention to detail and the realistic portrayal of Tilley's body. Freud's use of vibrant colors and textured brushstrokes adds depth and realism to the subject. The painting has become an iconic piece and can be viewed as symbolizing the power of women, and their ability to be both vulnerable and strong. Freud's painting challenges celebrate female beauty.

Associated Place(s)

Event date:

1990 to 1994

Parent Chronology: