Large Interior W11 (after Watteau) 1983

Lucian Freud made this painting, Large Interior W11 (after Watteau), by layering thin glazes and thicker passages of paint, building up surfaces through observation. I love how Freud created this intimate gathering! What strikes me is the oddness of it all, the awkward poses, the room's decaying grandeur, and the slightly melancholic air of the figures. He must have studied each person individually, noticing how the light fell on their skin, observing every contour and imperfection. It reminds me of the way Watteau painted figures in dreamy landscapes, but Freud's got this raw, unflinching quality, a modern sensibility. Those details—the sink, the peeling wallpaper, the fan—speak volumes! It feels so personal, like a conversation, and it invites you to really look, and feel, and think. I feel like Freud is speaking to the history of painting, not just Watteau, but so many others, while also staying true to his unique vision, pushing boundaries and creating something entirely new. It’s this exchange across time, this conversation between artists, that I find so inspiring.