Annabel 1975

Curator: Welcome. Let’s turn our attention to Lucian Freud’s pencil drawing, “Annabel,” created in 1975. Editor: Immediately striking is the intimacy of this sketch. There’s a directness to her gaze, but also a kind of weary resignation. It makes me wonder about the story behind it. Curator: Context is key, isn't it? Freud was known for pushing his subjects to their emotional and physical limits, often requiring them to sit for extended periods. This drawing reflects the dynamic of power, where the artist’s gaze dictates the subject's portrayal, and what it meant for women as passive muses during this period. Editor: Interesting, because looking at the materiality and technique, it reads differently to me. It’s "just" pencil on paper, but the labor-intensive process is evident in the layered strokes. The act of observation, of translating form onto paper through meticulous application, speaks to a social context of artistic practice. It reveals so much about skill and process before even speaking of what is shown, that is, the representation. Curator: I agree, it’s an incredible feat. But I find myself focusing on the expression of "Annabel" here—is it simply tiredness, or a deeper feeling of vulnerability exposed by the artistic process and perhaps a metaphor for all woman in this position. There's also something powerful in that subtle power dynamic isn't there? Her slightly downward glance still feels direct. Editor: Indeed, and that interplay between subject and material extends beyond the studio, consider for instance the provenance and later consumption patterns linked to it; its movement through different collections—all add to the artwork’s story. The chosen medium – pencil drawing- contributes, too. The fragility and ubiquity of this medium contrasts against the imposing market values these images would attain in collections and at auctions. Curator: True, and considering that his works often grappled with themes of discomfort, and vulnerability, it seems very relevant in his body of work. Thanks for this. It’s made me reflect on how social and power dynamics intersect and translate themselves on something as "simple" as pencil on paper, challenging these conventions of representation that still resonate. Editor: Absolutely. Seeing art through its physical creation—pencil, paper, time—grounds its more theoretical and narrative impact within concrete social and economic relationships, for us and Freud too.