Conversation
Print
1998 (printed)
1998 (printed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is one of a group of 143 state, trial and cancellation proofs of etchings by Lucian Freud (1922-2011) which came from the collection of Marc Balakjian (1938-2017) of Studio Prints. Balakjian was Freud’s printer from 1985 and worked closely with him on the production of his etchings.
This is a rare instance where Freud used a photograph as the source for the composition. The subjects are Susanna Chancellor and her mother-in-law Lady Chancellor (1901-1996). Freud made the print after the latter's death. The plate was bitten on 25 November 1999, and Marc Balakjian then pulled a large number of trial proofs, variously inked. The proof inscribed by Balakjian as 6A shows a deep scratch on the plate to the right of Lady Chancellor's head. Freud asked for this to be removed, and the proof numbered 6B shows it almost erased; it does not appear in any subsequent proofs.
This is a rare instance where Freud used a photograph as the source for the composition. The subjects are Susanna Chancellor and her mother-in-law Lady Chancellor (1901-1996). Freud made the print after the latter's death. The plate was bitten on 25 November 1999, and Marc Balakjian then pulled a large number of trial proofs, variously inked. The proof inscribed by Balakjian as 6A shows a deep scratch on the plate to the right of Lady Chancellor's head. Freud asked for this to be removed, and the proof numbered 6B shows it almost erased; it does not appear in any subsequent proofs.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Conversation (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Etching on paper |
| Brief description | Lucian Freud: Trial proof of Conversation, 1998. Etching. Printed by Marc Balakjian. |
| Physical description | Two women shown head and shoulders, one smoking, the other holding a cup and saucer. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Accepted in lieu of inheritance tax by HM Government in 2019 from the collection of Marc Balakjian and allocated to the V&A |
| Summary | This is one of a group of 143 state, trial and cancellation proofs of etchings by Lucian Freud (1922-2011) which came from the collection of Marc Balakjian (1938-2017) of Studio Prints. Balakjian was Freud’s printer from 1985 and worked closely with him on the production of his etchings. This is a rare instance where Freud used a photograph as the source for the composition. The subjects are Susanna Chancellor and her mother-in-law Lady Chancellor (1901-1996). Freud made the print after the latter's death. The plate was bitten on 25 November 1999, and Marc Balakjian then pulled a large number of trial proofs, variously inked. The proof inscribed by Balakjian as 6A shows a deep scratch on the plate to the right of Lady Chancellor's head. Freud asked for this to be removed, and the proof numbered 6B shows it almost erased; it does not appear in any subsequent proofs. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.331-2020 |
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| Record created | February 17, 2020 |
| Record URL |
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