Model Opens Up About Sitting for Lucian Freud Before £25M Artwork Sale

Model's Recollections of Freud Studio Sessions

Sue Tilley has provided revealing insights into her experience posing for the renowned artist Lucian Freud, offering a personal perspective on the creative process that would eventually lead to a significant £25 million artwork sale. Her accounts paint a vivid picture of the artist's working environment and the intimate nature of their professional relationship during the painting sessions.

Tilley's memories of the Lucian Freud painting sessions extend beyond the canvas itself, encompassing the distinctive atmosphere surrounding the artist's workspace. She recounts a lifestyle that contrasted sharply with the intensity of the portrait work, remembering celebratory champagne lunches that punctuated the lengthy sitting periods. These moments provided respite from the demanding process of sitting for one of the 20th century's most meticulous figurative painters.

The Artist's Unconventional Workspace

The model describes Freud's studio as surprisingly unorthodox for someone of his stature and accomplishments. Rather than the pristine, carefully curated environment one might expect from an artist of international renown, Tilley recalls the space as distinctly