Born into a Jewish family in Berlin, Germany, Frank's parents sent him to Britain in an organised rescue scheme during the Second World War. Auerbach's interest in art was noticed from a young age, with him eventually going on to study at art schools in London.
Auerbach's most acclaimed works were figuartive works made up largely of portraits and urban landscapes, depicted in his signature style. Auerbach's work consisted of constantly adding, removing and layering over his own work until it was perfect, with the artist stating that over 95% of his work would get thrown out in the process of painting.
His paintings became instantly recognisable for their harsh, thick lines that make incredibly striking images of both the people and locations he depicts in his artwork. The impasto impressions he created on his canvas gave his works a distinct texture, so much so that the heavy paint made many of his works hard to hang up.
Auerbach's work had a huge influence on the world of contemporary art. His works have been showcased all across the world, appearing in exhibitions from the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge to London's Tate Modern. His rigorous work ethic and approach have inspired many other artists to focus on the relation between artist and subject, working towards a final product that feels perfect.
Auerbach will be remembered for years to come, and his influence on art will last even longer.
