The Easel

Auerbach’s defeat of death

British writers, in particular, like to play the “GLA” game – who is our Greatest Living Artist? Their current GLA is Frank Auerbach and this essay explains why. “Auerbach’s brushwork looks simple, offhand enough to assert a lack of care or liability. Really, it is a kind of English sprezzatura, as artful a dishevelment as a frayed collar or too-bright socks.” This piece should be an entrant in the “BEOTY” game – best essay of the year.