Head of Julia
Painting on support • Frank Auerbach (British, born 1931)
Style & Movement
London School / Post-War Neo-Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on board or paper laid on board with extreme impasto and thick layering (all-over texture)
Creation Period
circa 1980s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 10 inches; portrait orientation
Subject Description
A portrait of Julia Wolstenholme (the artist's wife), rendered through a dense, topographic layer of earth-toned and ochre pigments. The composition focuses on the physical presence of the head, emerging through gestural black marks that define bone structure and features against a muddy, vibrant background.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good (assessed based on typical characteristics of the artist's medium)
Estimated Market Value
$400,000 - $700,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$350,000 - $550,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired from Marlborough Fine Art, London; private collections thereafter.
Art Historical Significance
Auerbach is a central figure of the School of London. This work demonstrates his obsessive process of scraping down and rebuilding the surface, embodying the psychological intensity and material weight characteristic of his most significant period of portraiture.
Notable Features
Distinguished by the extreme relief of the paint surface which borders on sculptural; use of 'S' signature or marking in the lower left corner and the characteristic muddy yellow-ochre palette of his Julia series.
Condition Issues
Deep surface cracking (craquelure) and 'drying wrinkles' inherent to the heavy application of oil paint; potential for pigment instability or brittleness over time due to thickness.
Conservation Recommendations
Storage in a climate-controlled environment with stable humidity to prevent further cracking of the paint film; UV-filtered glazing and professional inspection for any signs of cleavage between layers.