Catherine Lampert's Lifelong Dedication to Art and Artists
Catherine Lampert, a distinguished art historian and curator, has spent decades at the heart of the British art scene, forming deep connections with iconic painters like Frank Auerbach, Lucian Freud, and Euan Uglow. Her journey began in the 1960s when she moved from Washington DC to London as a sculpture student at the Slade, where she forged her own path by engaging with artists outside traditional classrooms.
A Personal and Professional Bond with Euan Uglow
In November, a private sale at Christie's featured Euan Uglow's painting Potiphar's Wife, a work Lampert had long sought. She recalls Uglow's final months in 2000, when he allowed her to record insights for his catalogue raisonné. "Euan was quite cryptic," she says, "but he became decisive about his art's meaning." Lampert treasures details like the "satiny and still" yellow band in the composition, gleaned from those recordings.
Sitting for Frank Auerbach: A Life-Changing Experience
Lampert sat for Auerbach weekly from 1978 until his death in November 2024, a commitment spanning 46 years. "It was life-changing," she emphasizes, "Frank and his work affected me so emotionally." Her connection deepened when she visited Berlin in 2013, finding the Stolperstein commemorating Auerbach's parents, who were murdered at Auschwitz. This emotional attachment, she notes, transcends professional relationships, fostering a profound care for the artists and their legacies.
Curating and Scholarly Contributions
Despite approaching 80, Lampert remains prolific. In the past year alone, she has:
- Co-authored the catalogue raisonné of Lucian Freud's paintings.
- Curated a Frank Auerbach retrospective.
- Written essays for exhibitions by Hurvin Anderson and the National Portrait Gallery.
- Opened Euan Uglow: An Arc from the Eye at MK Gallery, his first major show in two decades.
She describes her persistence in promoting artists, such as convincing Freud to advocate for Auerbach's Royal Academy exhibition and curating Paula Rego's work when interest was minimal.
Relationships with Lucian Freud and Other Artists
Lampert met Freud in 1981, engaging in weekly interactions. She recalls his charm and spontaneity, often summoned by postcards for "a dance." "Lucian was so charming," she says, "he could make you feel like the only person in the room." While Freud considered asking her to sit, Lampert's commitments to Auerbach, her husband, and her career prevented it, highlighting the time-intensive nature of such collaborations.
The Emotional Impact and Legacy
Reflecting on sitting for Auerbach, Lampert states, "Everything. I always came out in a really good mood. It never failed." After his death, she documented his studio, noting open books and images, a testament to her meticulous dedication. Similarly, her work on Freud's catalogue involved deciphering nicknames and appointments, creating an immersive historical record.
Lampert's home, filled with art and memories of dinners with figures like David Hockney and Leon Kossoff, symbolizes her status as a quiet giant in contemporary art. Her ongoing projects, such as acquiring a Charles Avery piece and attending Brian Eno's DJ set, show her unwavering passion. "I never seem to want to stop working," she admits, "it's just so distracting to be thinking about art."
Exhibitions like Euan Uglow: An Arc from the Eye at MK Gallery until 31 May and Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting at the National Portrait Gallery until 4 May continue to showcase her influence, ensuring these artists' legacies endure for new generations.
