A landmark exhibition is set to open in Berlin this May, marking the first time the works of acclaimed British painter Frank Auerbach will be displayed in the city he was forced to flee as a child. Titled “Frank Auerbach in Berlin,” the show at Galerie Michael Werner represents a poignant homecoming for the late artist, who passed away last November at the age of 93.
Born in Berlin in 1931 to Jewish parents, Auerbach was sent to Britain in 1939 to escape Nazi persecution. Tragically, both his mother and father perished in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Despite never returning to Germany during his lifetime, the upcoming exhibition offers a belated opportunity for Auerbach’s birthplace to celebrate his remarkable artistic legacy.
A Showcase of Final Works
Curated by Catherine Lampert, former director of London’s Whitechapel Gallery, the show will feature between 25 and 30 of Auerbach’s paintings, including some of his last self-portraits and portraits of his wife Julia. Lampert described the late works as “very poignant” and “buoyant and beautiful,” noting Auerbach’s experimentation with unusual colors in his final years:
The pictures of Julia are in acrylic and they’re in greens and pinks and blues, these very unusual colours – not at all like he was when he painted in oil.
Catherine Lampert, curator
The exhibition, which opens on May 2nd, will provide a rare glimpse into the artist’s creative output in the months before his passing. It serves as a testament to Auerbach’s unwavering dedication to his craft, even in his final days.
An Artist’s Journey
Auerbach’s life was irrevocably shaped by the events of World War II. After arriving in Britain as a refugee, he attended the progressive Bunce Court School in Kent before studying art in London. His distinctive style, characterized by bold colors and thickly applied paint, earned him critical acclaim and a devoted following.
Despite achieving great success in his adopted homeland, Auerbach maintained ties to his German roots. His cousin, the respected literary critic Marcel Reich-Ranicki, was a fellow Holocaust survivor who became an influential cultural figure in postwar Germany. Reich-Ranicki’s admiration for his cousin’s work helped foster an appreciation for Auerbach among German art enthusiasts.
A Long-Awaited Return
While Auerbach never returned to Germany during his lifetime, the upcoming exhibition represents a symbolic homecoming. Lampert noted that many in the German art world have long lamented the loss of Auerbach’s presence:
When I was at his Kunstmuseum Bonn exhibition in 2015, many people talked about what Germany had lost because Frank had to leave, but there aren’t works by Auerbach in German museums, as far as we know. It’ll be interesting to see how his work is received.
Catherine Lampert
The Berlin show offers an opportunity for Auerbach’s birthplace to finally embrace and celebrate one of its most remarkable artistic sons. It serves as a poignant reminder of the immeasurable cultural losses inflicted by the Nazi regime and a tribute to the resilience of those who rebuilt their lives in the face of unimaginable horror.
A Legacy Honored
As the first posthumous exhibition of Auerbach’s work, “Frank Auerbach in Berlin” holds a special significance. It not only introduces the artist’s oeuvre to a new audience but also serves as a final chapter in a life marked by tragedy, resilience, and unwavering artistic vision.
The show is a fitting tribute to an artist who, despite enduring unimaginable loss and displacement, never wavered in his commitment to his craft. It is a celebration of the enduring power of art to transcend borders, heal wounds, and bear witness to the indomitable human spirit.
As the art world mourns the loss of one of its most luminous talents, “Frank Auerbach in Berlin” offers a chance to reflect on the artist’s extraordinary life and the indelible mark he left on the canvas of art history. It is a homecoming that, while long overdue, promises to be a profound and moving experience for all who have the privilege of witnessing it.
