1996
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
Self-Portrait: Reflection is a 1996 by Lucian Freud, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This print is a self-portrait by Lucian Freud. It was created in 1996. The story behind its creation is interesting - Freud worked closely with his printer to get the effect just right. He was pleased with a chance discovery - a mottled texture that suggested the weave of a shirt. This happened when the printer had half-wiped the ink from the plate. The result was what Freud wanted - a dark print with a special texture. To learn more about the techniques used, look up chiaroscuro.
This portrait-format etching in black and white depicts the head and shoulders of a man. Created in 1996, the print is one of 143 proofs produced by printer Marc Balakjian, who collaborated closely with the artist. The inking process resulted in a mottled texture across the shirt and face, achieved by leaving varying amounts of ink on the plate. A cancellation proof demonstrates the plate’s appearance without this inking technique.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Lucian Michael Freud (; 8 December 1922 – 20 July 2011) was a British painter and draughtsman, specialising in figurative art, who is known as one of the foremost 20th-century English portraitists.
See the richer artist page
