The artwork, titled “Small Naked Portrait,” was created by Lucian Freud between the years 1973 and 1974. Executed in oil on canvas, this piece belongs to the Expressionism movement and measures 27 by 22 centimeters. It is classified under the genre of nude painting (nu) and is currently housed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, UK.
In the artwork, a nude figure is depicted in a reclining, introspective pose, conveying an intimate and raw depiction of the human form. The subject’s skin tones are rendered in a realistic yet textured manner, highlighting Freud’s meticulous attention to detail and his skill in capturing the complexities of human flesh. The figure’s posture, with limbs drawn in and head resting on an outstretched arm, evokes a sense of vulnerability and contemplation. The muted background and the stark, almost tactile representation of the figure’s body emphasize the emotional depth and physical reality that characterize Freud’s portraiture.
