Based on what I'd seen in reproduction - I used to despise Lucien Freud for adding yet more ugliness to our sad world - but then, about 6 years ago, a few of his paintings were temporarily loaned to the Art Institute -- and I completely changed my mind - and yes, I would call them beautiful.
(I can't remember the names of the pieces -- one was at least 70" high and depicted a naked man and dog sleeping on a rumpled bed - with somebody else's leg sticking out from beneath the bed. The other depicted faucets in a grungy sink) Maybe it was the size -- or the texture that made a difference in total effect -- but whatever it was -- they became enjoyable rather than repulsive -- and I confess -- that my own life does often offer images of naked, ugly people in bed with their pets -- as well as grungy sinks. The phrase, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," is interesting but lax. Certainly, "Response is in the eye of the beholder," can be defended, and the response can be very favorable in someone who would nevertheless not invoke the word 'beauty' about the favored work. Anyone who cried "Beautiful" about Lucien Freud's "Benefits Supervisor Sleeping" would be using the word differently from me. _____________________________________________________________ Click here for free info on Graduate Degrees. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2211/fc/Ioyw6ijmiLehq7Cer9rGJcq1jHon8r 10t5eCGPQB2rIwqhqibXivSQ/?count=1234567890
