Two Irishmen in W11 1985

Lucian Freud made “Two Irishmen in W11” with oil paint, though the date is unknown. Look at how Freud builds up the figures, layering brushstrokes to create volume and texture. The paint is applied in such a way that it almost feels like you could reach out and touch the roughness of their skin. Notice that the artist hasn't shied away from showing every wrinkle, every blemish. This honesty really emphasizes the physical presence of these figures. Take a close look at the hands of the seated figure. The detail in the rendering of the knuckles and veins tells a story of a life lived, a working life perhaps. You can see the same attention to detail throughout the painting in the way the light falls on the suits, catching the fabric's subtle sheen. You can almost feel the weight of them. Freud shares this approach with other painters such as Jenny Saville and Francis Bacon, who also explored the human form with unflinching directness. These paintings offer a window into our shared humanity.