UBS : 54 works by Lucian Freud from the UBS Art Collection to be presented in Berlin

Berlin, 21 July 2017 - Opening 22 July, the Martin-Gropius-Bau in Berlin will present Lucian Freud: Closer, Etchings from the UBS Art Collection. Marking the first time that 54 works by the acclaimed artist will be on view in his birth city in Germany, the exhibition features important artworks by Freud from the internationally-renowned UBS Art Collection, including 51 etchings created over the course of 19 years, representing the most fruitful period of the artist's graphic production. The etchings are complemented by an additional three paintings - one watercolor and two oil paintings.

Mary Rozell, Global Head of the UBS Art Collection and curator of the exhibition said: 'Contemporary art is an important part of UBS's heritage as evidenced by our renowned art collection, which spans six decades and offers many treasures and notable pockets of depth, including the works by Lucian Freud that are featured in this exhibition. The etchings - the majority of the artist's work in this medium - command our close attention to their boldness and delicacy, as well as to the layered dimensions of Freud's subject matter. UBS is proud to partner with the Martin-Gropius-Bau to share these important pieces from our collection in a city with historical relevance to the artist.'

Born in Berlin in 1922, Lucian Freud is considered one of the most important artists of the last century and the greatest portraitist of his time. In the course of a career spanning seven decades, Freud's focus was on the human figure. His works are known for their psychological penetration and unsparing realism.

UBS regularly makes loans to museums around the world of individual works from its collection, which is comprised of more than 30,000 artworks, including paintings, photographs, drawings, prints, video art and sculpture, by emerging and established international artists. Lucian Freud: Closer shines a light on a rare body of work originally assembled over the course of thirteen years by Donald B. Marron in his role as Chairman and CEO of Paine Webber, before being integrated into the UBS Art Collection.

Hatje Cantz is publishing a companion catalogue, which includes a foreword by Martin-Gropius-Bau Director Gereon Sievernich, preface by Mary Rozell, and texts by Art Historian and Editor Richard Cork and Art historian and Curator at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art Anders Kold. A previous version of the exhibition, Louisiana on Paper - Lucian Freud: A Closer Look, was organized by Andres Kold and originally debuted at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark in 2015.

Lucian Freud: Closer
Etchings from the UBS Art Collection