Lucian Freud was a British painter and one of the most important figurative artists of the 20th century. Born in Berlin in 1922, Freud moved to England with his family in 1933 to escape Nazi persecution. He studied at the Central School of Art in London before joining the Merchant Navy during World War II.

Freud's early works were characterized by a fascination with the human form, and he quickly gained recognition for his powerful, raw depictions of the human body. His paintings often featured nudes or figures in various states of undress, and he used a distinctive style characterized by thick, impasto brushstrokes and a muted color palette.

Throughout his career, Freud continued to explore the human form in his paintings, focusing on the individuality and physicality of his subjects. He often worked from life, spending long periods of time with his models in order to capture the subtle nuances of their appearance and personality.

Freud's contributions to the art world have been widely recognized, and he has been the subject of numerous exhibitions and retrospectives, including a major show at the National Portrait Gallery in London in 2012. His works are included in the collections of major museums around the world, including the Tate Gallery, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Despite his fame and success, Freud remained dedicated to his craft and continued to paint until his death in 2011 at the age of 88. His powerful, emotionally charged paintings continue to captivate viewers and inspire artists around the world, cementing his place as one of the most important artists of his generation.