Request to view

This object can be requested via email from the Prints & Drawings Study Room

Small Head

Print
c.1988 (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.

Though this has been listed as unique, there are two other extant proofs. The print was never published. It was described by Christies as Untitled (Small Head of Ib) but has since been identified in 'Lucian Freud: Catalogue Raisonne of the Prints' (Modern Art Press, 2022) as a head of Susanna Chancellor.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSmall Head (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Etching on paper
Brief description
Lucian Freud: Trial proof of Small Head (portrait of Susanna Chancellor), c.1988. Etching. Printed by Marc Balakjian.
Physical description
Head of a woman looking to the right and down.
Dimensions
  • Plate height: 19.6cm
  • Plate width: 14.7cm
  • Sheet height: 47.2cm
  • Sheet width: 40.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
46 (in pencil; by Marc Balakjian)
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.

Though this has been listed as unique, there are two other extant proofs. The print was never published. It was described by Christies as Untitled (Small Head of Ib) but has since been identified in 'Lucian Freud: Catalogue Raisonne of the Prints' (Modern Art Press, 2022) as a head of Susanna Chancellor.
Collection
Accession number
E.442-2020

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 17, 2020
Record URL
Download as: JSON