“Ib and her Husband” is an artwork completed by Lucian Freud in 1992, employing oil on canvas as the medium. Belonging to the expressionism movement, this genre painting measures 147 x 168 cm. It currently resides within a private collection.
The artwork captures an intimate scene of Ib and her husband as depicted by Lucian Freud through his signature expressionist style. Two figures are portrayed reclining on a bed, with the woman at the foreground appearing to be in a reposeful state, her eyes gently closed. The man is seen lying behind her, his face resting close to hers, suggesting a sense of closeness or connection between them. Their expressions convey a raw and unembellished emotion, a hallmark of Freud’s approach to portraiture.
Freud’s technique reveals a meticulous attention to the textures of skin, clothing, and the surrounding environment, with thick, impasto brushstrokes adding depth to the scene. The use of a rich, earthy palette enhances the physicality and presence of the figures in the artwork. The background, although less detailed, features what appears to be a radiator, hinting at the domestic setting of the composition. Overall, the painting exudes a candid portrayal of human vulnerability, a theme often explored by the artist throughout his oeuvre.
