Legendary painter who fled Nazi Germany as child refugee has died aged 93

FRANK Auerbach — a child refugee from Nazi Germany who became one of Britain’s foremost artists — has died at 93.

The painter, a favourite of musician David Bowie, was known for his figurative portraits and street scenes that now sell for millions.

Jewish Frank fled Berlin in 1939 and later studied art in London.

He lived and worked in the same tiny, freezing studio in Camden from 1954 until his death.

Although often seen as part of a Soho set that included Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud, he was a solitary figure, who painted every day, never took a holiday and took years to perfect a work.

One piece, Mornington Crescent, sold at auction in 2023 for £5.5million.

Geoffrey Parton, of Frankie Rossi Art Projects, said “We have lost a remarkable artist but take comfort knowing his voice will resonate for generations to come."

Frank was survived by son Jacob.

Late singer David Bowie was a big fan on Auerbach’s artwork.

After Bowie died in 2016, his personal art collection was sold at Sotherby’s including Frank Auerbach’s Head of Gerda Boehm, which fetched almost £3.8m.

Bowie once said of the painting: “I want to sound like that looks.”