Man with a Blue Scarf: On Sitting for a Portrait by Lucian Freud [Hardcover]

"Take one art critic, sit him in a studio with the world's greatest living portrait painter, then document what happens. It's an inspired approach to a book. As Freud paints Gayford, both men have plenty of time to ruminate on art and life, resulting in a superlative anecdotal micro-history of painting."
--BOOKSELLER's special Art issue

'Beautifully published, with wonderfully selected illustrations - succeeds in creating a bridge between Freud the artist and Freud the man' --'Book of the Week', Craig Brown, The Mail on Sunday

`Both a valuable contribution to art history and a beautiful object in itself ... It will be read as long as Freud's work is admired ... a very long time indeed' --Lynn Barber, The Sunday Times

`Told in the form of a diary, sitting by sitting, easily, conversationally, insightfully,with a delicate humour ... enthralling' --Michael Glover, The Independent

`A rich mix of the conversation, remembrances, working practices and musings on art and life ... fascinating
and thoughtful ... a striking success' --The Sunday Telegraph

`Freud is vividly surprising, potent and dynamic...[his] insights are piercing and astringent ... a portrait of an anarchic painter with views on everything'
--The Observer

'Excellent ... Not only offers fresh insights into Freud but catches the tensions and drama inherent in the business of portraiture' --The Guardian

`An unexpectedly moving investigation of the artistic process' --The Economist

'...stands a good chance of becoming a set work for students. It would be a rarity on a reading list - a book that's
not just read but relished' --The Spectator

`Well worth reading for the riveting details of Freud's work methods and conversation... the anecdotes are great fun' --Elspeth Barker, The Literary Review

`Fascinating ... a forensic record of how our foremost figurative painter worked... By the end, in memory, you can see the artist almost whole'
--The Daily Telegraph

`An art book unlike any other ... beautifully illustrated throughout, not only with Freud's own paintings, to enlighten the reader on references in the text' --Daily Mail

`Revealing and important ... a significant insight into the working practice of one of Britain's greatest living artists' --Country Life

`Fascinating record of the author's talks with Freud as he sat for the artist'
--The Sunday Times

'A beautifully perceptive diary' --The Lady

'As a lively account of Freud's working practice, tastes and opinions, it will become a document of increasing historical value'
--British Museum Magazine

`A unique portrait of the artist'
--The Belfast Telegraph