The artwork titled “Red-haired man on a chair” is an oil on canvas painting created by the artist Lucian Freud between 1962 and 1963. As a work reflective of the Expressionism movement, it measures 91.5 x 91.5 cm and falls within the genre painting category. The painting is part of a private collection, thus emphasizing its exclusivity and potentially its cultural value to the private owner.
Upon examining the artwork, one is immediately drawn to the striking presence of the central figure, a red-haired man seated on a wooden chair. The subject’s body language is relaxed, yet there is a certain intensity in his posture that suggests a deeper emotional landscape. His legs are crossed, and his interlocked hands rest on his knee, indicating a moment of repose or contemplation. The color palette is muted, with the man’s pale skin and red hair standing out against an earthy background.
Freud’s brushwork emphasizes the texture of the red-haired man’s robe, the rumpled sheets on the bed beside him, and the grain of the wooden chair and flooring. The expressive quality of Freud’s style is evident in how he renders the folds of clothing and the psychological depth apparent in the subject’s facial expression. The artwork communicates an intimate moment, potentially capturing the vulnerability and inherent solitude of the human condition. The surroundings are sparse, which allows the viewer to focus on the psychological aspect of the subject, a hallmark of Freud’s expressive approach to portraiture.
