The artwork titled “Naked Man with Rat,” completed in 1977 by Lucian Freud, is an oil painting on canvas belonging to the Expressionism art movement. This nude painting, which depicts a man in a vulnerable and introspective pose with a rat, is housed in the Art Gallery of Western Australia in Perth, Australia.
This notable work features a solitary male figure reclining on a couch, his left hand casually resting near his head while holding a rat in his right hand. The man’s body is rendered with a meticulous naturalism, showcasing Freud’s signature style of portraying the human form in raw, unidealized detail. The textured quality of the man’s skin and the detailed depiction of the muscles and veins evoke a profound sense of realism. The earthy tones of the couch and the figure’s skin contrast sharply, drawing attention to the physicality and the isolated presence of the man. The setting, with its muted background and the character’s contemplative expression, adds a psychological depth, emphasizing themes of solitude and intimacy. The artwork’s emotional intensity and uncompromising portrayal of the human condition are hallmarks of Freud’s approach to Expressionism.
