Dr Janet McKenzie reviews the recent exhibition Lucian Freud: Drawings at Blain Southern, London. The exhibition will be on view at Acquavella Galleries, New York from April 30 – June 9, 2012.

McKenzie writes: "One is struck first by the remarkable virtuosity of the young artist from the early works on show. The unadorned subject, animal or human, where attention to detail is truly remarkable, creates an immediacy, intimacy and wonderment for life. Curiosity marks his endless activity in charcoal, conté, pencil, pen and ink, and later his marvellous etchings – 70 in all."