Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting

Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting, the first exhibition in a UK museum to focus specifically on the artist’s works on paper. This is a rare opportunity to see his creative process up close, including several pieces that have never been on public display before.

Lucian Freud (1922-2011) is remembered as one of Britain’s greatest portrait painters, famous for the raw honesty and intense detail he brought to every face and figure. While many know him for his large-scale canvases, this exhibition invites you to discover the dedication and technique behind his art, showing why his work remains so popular today.

Spanning his entire career—from the 1930s all the way to the early 21st century—the exhibition explores Freud’s lifelong fascination with the human form. You will see his mastery across a variety of styles, from delicate pencil and pen drawings to rich charcoal and etchings. We have also brought together a selection of important paintings to show the fascinating conversation between his work on paper and his work on canvas.

In preparation for this 2026 exhibition, the National Portrait Gallery has added 12 new works from Lucian Freud’s estate to its permanent collection. These include eight etchings—the very first of their kind by Freud to join the Gallery—featuring a special portrait of his daughter, fashion designer Bella Freud. Alongside these new arrivals, you can explore archive research and previously unseen materials that offer a fresh look at the life and work of a modern master.