Head of Leon Kossoff
Painting on board • Frank Auerbach (British, b. 1931)
Style & Movement
School of London / Neo-Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on board with extreme impasto and wet-on-wet application
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1965-1980)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 30 x 30 cm; Portrait orientation, near square
Subject Description
A deeply textured portrait of the artist's friend and fellow painter Leon Kossoff. The face is emergent from a dense, sculptural thicket of ochre, yellow, and black pigment. The composition is a close-up bust, focusing on the psychological gravity and physical presence of the sitter.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good - Stable despite heavy impasto; characteristic of the artist's structural technique
Estimated Market Value
$1,500,000 - $3,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,800,000 - $2,500,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired through Marlborough Fine Art (London) or similar primary galleries for the School of London; currently in private collection or museum context
Art Historical Significance
Auerbach is a primary figure of the School of London. This work exemplifies his labor-intensive process of scraping down and reapplying paint, capturing the 'essence' of a recurring sitter over years of observation.
Notable Features
The three-dimensional, relief-like surface quality and the 'S' shaped mark in the lower left, likely a compositional directional strike or signature fragment.
Condition Issues
Slight surface dust accumulation in deep crevices; potential for minor edge abrasions from previous framing; possible light crackling due to the extreme thickness of the oil medium.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain controlled humidity to prevent delamination of heavy paint layers; display under low UV lighting; professional cleaning of interstices if required.