© National Portrait Gallery
Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting
12 February 2026 — 4 May 2026
On NowThe National Portrait Gallery presents the UK's most comprehensive exhibition of Lucian Freud's works on paper — pencil, charcoal, ink and etching from the 1930s to the 2000s — including 12 newly acquired works, exploring how drawing underpinned his celebrated paintings.
From National Portrait Gallery
Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting is the UK’s most comprehensive museum exhibition to focus on the artist's works on paper, including some works seen on display for the first time. Lucian Freud (1922-2011) achieved recognition as one of Britain's foremost figurative painters, celebrated for his clinically raw and intensely observed portraits and nude studies. Freud’s working practice, artistic techniques and processes,...
Read more at National Portrait Gallery →Critic Reviews
TimeOut
Asiimov Baker
"Freud’s drawings show the artist’s meticulous process, but lack the oomph of his paintings."
Read full review →The Guardian
Jonathan Jones
No, I don't want to come up and see these etchings
"Freud was a master painter, but his drawings ranged from ordinary to awful. Guess which aspect of his work this show focuses on?"
Read full review →The Standard
Melanie McDonagh
A crude but illuminating treasure trove
"This show concentrates on Freud’s drawings, and while they were clearly casual works compared to his paintings, there is much to enjoy"
Read full review →The Times
Laura Freeman
Surprising and spellbinding
"The early drawings on display, made by Freud in the 1940s and early 1950s, are astonishing: precision without fussiness, a stark certainty of line, very little revision or agitation, in contrast to the obsessively worked paintings of his later career."
Read full review →About the Artist
Lucian Freud
British, German · 1922–2011
Painting, Drawing & Works on Paper
Freud painted the human figure with unsparing psychological depth, building surfaces of paint slowly and directly from life to create portraits of uncommon intimacy and unease.
Visit
St Martin's Place, London·View on artmap
Sunday10:30am–6pm
Monday10:30am–6pm
Tuesday10:30am–6pm
Wednesday10:30am–6pm
Thursday10:30am–6pm
Friday10:30am–9pm
Saturday ·10:30am–6pm
Related Exhibitions
More at National Portrait Gallery
National Portrait Gallery
Catherine Opie: To Be Seen
Until May 31
National Portrait Gallery
Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait
Starting Jun 4
More Drawing & Works on Paper exhibitions
Explore all Drawing & Works on Paper exhibitions
© National Portrait Gallery
Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting
12 February 2026 — 4 May 2026
On NowThe National Portrait Gallery presents the UK's most comprehensive exhibition of Lucian Freud's works on paper — pencil, charcoal, ink and etching from the 1930s to the 2000s — including 12 newly acquired works, exploring how drawing underpinned his celebrated paintings.
From National Portrait Gallery
Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting is the UK’s most comprehensive museum exhibition to focus on the artist's works on paper, including some works seen on display for the first time. Lucian Freud (1922-2011) achieved recognition as one of Britain's foremost figurative painters, celebrated for his clinically raw and intensely observed portraits and nude studies. Freud’s working practice, artistic techniques and processes,...
Read more at National Portrait Gallery →Critic Reviews
TimeOut
Asiimov Baker
"Freud’s drawings show the artist’s meticulous process, but lack the oomph of his paintings."
Read full review →The Guardian
Jonathan Jones
No, I don't want to come up and see these etchings
"Freud was a master painter, but his drawings ranged from ordinary to awful. Guess which aspect of his work this show focuses on?"
Read full review →The Standard
Melanie McDonagh
A crude but illuminating treasure trove
"This show concentrates on Freud’s drawings, and while they were clearly casual works compared to his paintings, there is much to enjoy"
Read full review →The Times
Laura Freeman
Surprising and spellbinding
"The early drawings on display, made by Freud in the 1940s and early 1950s, are astonishing: precision without fussiness, a stark certainty of line, very little revision or agitation, in contrast to the obsessively worked paintings of his later career."
Read full review →About the Artist
Lucian Freud
British, German · 1922–2011
Painting, Drawing & Works on Paper
Freud painted the human figure with unsparing psychological depth, building surfaces of paint slowly and directly from life to create portraits of uncommon intimacy and unease.
Visit
St Martin's Place, London·View on artmap
Sunday10:30am–6pm
Monday10:30am–6pm
Tuesday10:30am–6pm
Wednesday10:30am–6pm
Thursday10:30am–6pm
Friday10:30am–9pm
Saturday ·10:30am–6pm
Related Exhibitions
More at National Portrait Gallery
National Portrait Gallery
Catherine Opie: To Be Seen
Until May 31
National Portrait Gallery
Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait
Starting Jun 4
More Drawing & Works on Paper exhibitions
Explore all Drawing & Works on Paper exhibitions