The artwork titled “John Deakin” was created by artist Lucian Freud between 1963 and 1964, falling under the Expressionism movement. This portrait measures 24.8 x 30.2 cm and is held in a private collection. The genre of this piece is a portrait, reflecting the Expressionist style that seeks to convey emotional experience rather than physical reality.
The artwork presents a close-up view of a male subject, presumably John Deakin, depicted with a notable degree of textural and color intensity that is characteristic of Freud’s expressionist approach. The brushstrokes are thick and palpable, imparting a sense of depth and dimension to the man’s features. Warm tones dominate the composition, with reds and oranges accentuating the contours of the face, notably around the nose and ear, suggesting a level of psychological penetration and the capture of the subject’s essence over a more traditional likeness. The subject’s expression appears reflective, possibly introspective, with his gaze slightly averted from the viewer, invoking a contemplative mood. The background is minimal, allowing the viewer to focus intently on the psychological and emotional state of the subject. This particularity ensures that the viewer’s attention remains firmly on the raw and candid portrayal of the individual’s character in the portrait.
