Lucian Freud (1922 - 2011) was one of the most influential artists of his generation. Hailed as the 'greatest living realist painter', Freud's commitment to realism, and particularly to the human figure, was often controversial. Always creating debate, Freud consistently addressed questions of human existence and perception, testing, through a sustained practice of looking, the possibility of knowing and recording human individuality. In this brand new survey of the artist's life and work, Virginia Button introduces us to one of the twentieth century's most important artists. The book is organised in seven thematic chapters -- covering the whole span of Freud's life and work: Chapter One: Commitment to Looking Chapter Two: Commitment to Painting Chapter Three: The Studio: Proximity and Reflective Distance Chapter Four: The Naked Portrait Chapter Five: The Artist's Eye: Freud and the Old Masters Chapter Six: Time and Reality: Freud's Significance and Legacy