A Times Best Art Book of 2022Reproductions of the young Lucian Freud-s letters alongside insightful context and commentary reveal the foundations of the artist-s personality and creative practice. The young Lucian Freud was described by his friend Stephen Spender as `totally alive, like something not entirely human, a leprechaun, a changeling child, or, if there is a male opposite, a witch.- All that magnetism and brilliance is displayed in the letters assembled here. Ranging from schoolboy messages to his parents, through letters and carefully-chosen, often embellished postcards to friends, lovers and confidants, to correspondence with patrons and associates. They are peppered with wit, affection and irreverence. Alongside rarely seen photographs and Freud-s extraordinary works, each chapter charts Freud-s evolving art alongside intimate accounts of his life. We trace Freud-s early friendships with Stephen Spender, John Craxton, his wild days at art school in East Anglia, and a stint
