Confronting the Body in David & Eli

I absolutely love Lucian Freud. His work is raw, unfiltered, and relentless in its pursuit of truth. Choosing just one piece from his body of work—so deeply concerned with flesh, humanity, and the passage of time—was no easy task. Freud never missed a crease, a blemish, or a shadow; he saw everything. But in the end, David & Eli (2003) stood out. Let’s take a closer look together.

Author

Inbal Zakai
February 16, 2025

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Lucian Freud 1922–2011. David and Eli. 2003-4.
Oil paint on canvas, 1626 × 1740 mm. Schroeder Collection.

The Body in All Its Truth (marked red)

Freud’s paint doesn’t just capture skin—it captures flesh. The body of David, sprawled on a small bed, is depicted with every vein, wrinkle, and imperfection. His relaxed, vulnerable posture, combined with Freud’s relentless observation, forces us to see the body for what it is: a living, breathing, aging form. There’s no heroism here—just reality.

The Silent Companion (marked blue)

At David’s side, Eli, his loyal whippet, mirrors his master’s position in repose. The sleeping dog introduces an element of stillness and intimacy, emphasizing the physical presence of the human body. In Freud’s world, humans and animals coexist without hierarchy, both simply existing in their physicality.

The Fading Plant—A Memento Mori (marked green)

To the right, a potted plant with withered leaves adds a quiet but striking presence. A living thing in decline, its inclusion nods to the passage of time, reinforcing the painting’s meditation on aging, mortality, and the slow process of decay. Freud reminds us: the body, like the plant, is not eternal.

Fun Fact

Lucian Freud’s studio was as raw as his art—paint-splattered walls, piles of rags, and his infamous worn-out couch. Instead of cleaning, he wiped his brushes directly on the walls, turning them into an evolving canvas of past works. His studio wasn’t just a workspace; it was a living extension of his paintings.

Think About It 🤔 

Just as Sigmund Freud delved into the depths of the human psyche, Lucian Freud plunged into the raw physicality of the human form. His portraits don’t just capture appearances—they reveal a lifetime etched into flesh. Every wrinkle, blemish, and fold is a record of existence, a testament to the weight of experience. In the same way his grandfather uncovered hidden desires and fears, Lucian laid bare the body’s truth, stripping away vanity to expose something deeper. His brushwork doesn’t just depict skin—it penetrates it, searching for the soul beneath.

How does it relate to the here and now? or What to say during casual conversation to show off your art knowledge?

Masculinity, Reimagined - "Freud’s David & Eli made me rethink masculinity. It’s not always about strength or heroism—it can be tender, vulnerable, and deeply human. The raw intimacy in his work challenges the rigid ideas of what it means to be a man.”

Now have another Look!

Lucian Freud 1922–2011. David and Eli. 2003-4.
Oil paint on canvas, 1626 × 1740 mm. Schroeder Collection.

And If You’re Up for More…

  1. If Freud’s David & Eli intrigued you, you might enjoy diving deeper into his world at Tate Britain, where a selection of his most powerful portraits is on display—revealing the raw, unfiltered approach that made him one of the most compelling painters of the 20th century.

  2. For a different perspective, visit The Freud Museum in London, the former home of his grandfather, Sigmund Freud. While it focuses on psychoanalysis, the space gives insight into the intellectual legacy that shaped Lucian Freud’s relentless pursuit of truth—whether in the human mind or on the canvas.

Freud painted bodies, but what he really captured was time—its weight, its presence, its undeniable truth. What do David & Eli make you think about? Does it challenge your idea of what portraiture should be?

Drop a comment below or reply to this email—I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Yours,
Inbal Z M

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