Child in Bed

Painted in 1960, ‘Child in Bed’ is one of Lucian Freud’s earliest portraits of his children. It shows his eldest daughter, Annie, confined to bed with a cold at Fenton House in Northumberland, UK, home of the Lambton family. Freud’s rendering of her face, hands and elbow in red ochre, peachy pink, brown and cream, set against a starched pink nightgown and a worn grey pillow, showcases his virtuoso handling of tone and texture.

The painting reflects his shift, encouraged by Francis Bacon, from fine sable brushes to bristly hog’s hair, which produced broader strokes and richly layered paint. It also introduces the motif of sitters in bed that Freud explored throughout his career, and anticipates later works such as ‘Large Interior, W11 (After Watteau)’ (1983).

First shown in 1963 at Marlborough Fine Art, London, UK, it marks a turning point in his practice, both technically and thematically.

‘That these paintings are so famous makes me feel celebrated. He very much encouraged my individuality, all during my childhood, and being painted by him was part of that encouragement, to be un-conforming.’