Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting

Lucian Freud’s unflinching portraits, rarely seen on paper, are the focus of this landmark exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. From the 1930s to the early 21st century, Freud meticulously explored the human form, capturing raw emotion and intense observation through a series of drawings, studies, and watercolors. This exhibition reveals the artist’s unique process – how his preparatory sketches, often intensely detailed, directly informed his monumental oil paintings. Featuring portraits of friends, family, and professional models, including a striking depiction of his daughter, Bella Freud, the collection showcases Freud’s mastery of charcoal, pen, and ink. The National Portrait Gallery has acquired 12 new works, including eight etchings, marking the first time these media have been displayed in a UK museum. A truly intimate glimpse into the mind of a revolutionary portraitist, this exhibition runs from February 12th to May 4th, 2026.