After hitting up Diane von Furstenberg's fashion exhibition, I stopped by the neighboring gallery Faurschou Beijing. Their current exhibition displays works by the influential artist Lucian Freud and his studio assistant David Dawson.

Lucian Freud, David & Eli, 2003-2004, Oil on canvas, 163 x 174 cm

This particular painting is of Freud's studio assistant David Dawson who regularly models for Freud. With a close friendship built over 20 years of working together it is not surprising that he is not a stranger to Freud's ability to scrutinize every little detail of the model's character. This painting has a classic freud set-up, a nude model on a bed. Freud has depicted this in his paintings for years with models lying or sleeping on his studio couch, sofa or mattress.





The exhibition also displayed images taken by David Dawson showing the working process of Freud and giving a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes. David Dawson is actually one of few people ever allowed to take pictures in Freud's studio.