merrion street

Pictured are Arts Minister Heather Humphreys, David Dawson, Lucian Freud’s studio assistant and IMMA Director Sarah Glennie

Arts Minister Heather Humphreys, artist David Dawson and Pat Doherty were in Dublin today to preview a new landmark exhibition for Dublin of 50 works by world renowned artist Lucian Freud.

Featuring 50 works on five-year loan to the IMMA Collection from a number of Private Collections IMMA Collection: Freud Project 2016 -2021 includes a selection of 30 of the artist’s finest paintings, alongside 20 works on paper, presented in a dedicated Freud Centre in IMMA’s Garden Galleries for five years. All 50 works will be on display over the first 12 months.

 Minister Humphreys said:

The opening of the Freud exhibition is an incredibly exciting moment for IMMA; this is a world class exhibition of works from one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century. This stunning new Freud exhibition will provide a major boost to the National Collection for the next five years and I am sure it will further increase IMMA’s already growing visitor numbers.

During this unique five-year project IMMA will present a series of different and exclusive Lucian Freud related exhibitions, with a new programme of events and openings each year. In this first year all 50 works are on display, while subsequent exhibitions will include works and new commissions by other contemporary artists in response to Freud, revealing exciting new perspectives on his work for artists and audiences today. 

Renowned for his portrayal of the human form, Lucian Freud is best known for his intimate, honest, often visceral portraits. The works in the exhibition, mainly dating from 1970 onwards, explore several of the artist’s key themes - works that reflect his interest in people and the natural world. Among those represented are members of his family; his children, grandchildren, his mother Lucie, other artists and friends and connections in the racing and business world.