Empire Cinema, modern postcard 

Frank Auerbach created this postcard of the Empire Cinema using oil paint, though the date of the artwork is unknown. The painting presents a dense impasto surface, built up with layers of pigment that almost obscure the subject matter. The thick application of paint renders the scene in a semi-abstract manner, challenging our perception of form and space. Auerbach's use of earthy tones, punctuated by strokes of reds and whites, creates a tension between figuration and abstraction. This approach aligns with Auerbach's broader artistic project to capture the essence of urban landscapes. His work destabilizes traditional notions of representation. Instead, it invites viewers to engage with the materiality of paint itself. The heavy texture and broken lines create a sense of incompleteness. The way Auerbach deploys impasto becomes not just a stylistic choice but a philosophical statement. It emphasizes the process of painting over any fixed meaning.