Artwork
Before the Fourth
Before the Fourth is a print by Lucian Freud. It dates from 2004 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This is an etching by Lucian Freud from 2004. It shows a pregnant woman seated, her body turned slightly sideways. The print is one of 143 proofs pulled from the same plate.
Freud’s printer, Marc Balakjian, worked closely on this series. The plate was etched by Paul Dewis, then proofed and printed by Balakjian himself.
Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum for more of Freud’s etchings.
Overview
Before the Fourth is a 2004 etching by Lucian Freud, one of a series of trial and cancellation proofs from the same plate.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts Annabel Mullion, an actress pregnant with her fourth child, seated with her body turned slightly sideways.
Technique & Style
The plate was etched by Paul Dewis at London Print Studio, then proofed and printed by Marc Balakjian at Studio Prints, where around 10 trial proofs were pulled.
History & Provenance
The print comes from the collection of Marc Balakjian, Freud's printer from 1985, who worked closely with the artist on his etchings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucian Michael Freud (; 8 December 1922 – 20 July 2011) was a British painter and draughtsman, specialising in figurative art, who is known as one of the foremost 20th-century English portraitists.
