Lucian Freud: The Biologist at Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou in Paris presents a major retrospective of Lucian Freud from March 10 to July 19, 2010, curated by Cécile Debray. The exhibition focuses on Freud's studio practice from the early 1960s onward, excluding his earlier linear style. It is organized around four themes: 'Intérieur/extérieur', 'Réflexion/reflection', 'Reprises', and 'Comme la chair/As Flesh'. Freud, who described himself as a biologist, scrutinized flesh and matter with a scientific eye. The show includes paintings, drawings, and prints, highlighting his shift to a more painterly approach influenced by Francis Bacon. Key works include 'Benefits Supervisor Sleeping' (1995), which sold for $33.6 million in 2008, making Freud the most expensive living artist at the time. The exhibition also features his portraits of Queen Elizabeth II (2001) and self-portraits like 'Reflection With Two Children' (1965). Freud's method involved constant movement around the model, akin to a 3D scanner, to achieve volumetric rendering. The article also discusses his reinterpretations of historical works by Watteau, Chardin, and Cézanne, and his place within a tradition of studio nudes alongside artists like Philip Pearlstein.