'Man with a Blue Scarf' Press reviews
'A uniquely compelling revelation of the life and work of one of the greatest figurative painters of our time’ – The Good Book Guide
‘A fascinating examination of the habit of art, and beautifully produced’– The Guardian
‘Exceptional … It is enthralling, a ‘must read’!} – Artist
‘As a lively account of Freud’s working practice, tastes and opinions, it will become a document of increasing historical value’ – British Museum Magazine
‘One of the best and most continually fascinating books about painting in recent memory …. The affectionate portrait of Freud that emerges from all this is absolutely beguiling … [Freud] is consistently erudite and truly exciting to listen to. … This is one of those odd books – we can’t think of anything else quite like it – that you never realised the world so needed until it arrived. So rejoice, is all: Another Good Book has arrived’ – Another Magazine
‘No matter how fascinating its revelations of the artist’s working life and his pungent views on painting, what carries the narrative is this dialogue between the two, in which Freud is vividly surprising, potent and dynamic, while Gayford is steadily attentive and respectful’ – The Guardian
‘A little masterpiece of table (or easel) talk, illustrating Freud’s intense intelligence, as well as his painterly genius’ – The Daily Telegraph
‘Both a valuable contribution to art history and a beautiful object in itself, with 64 well-chosen illustrations, mainly of Freud’s work but also wonderful Dawson photographs of his studio. It will be read as long as Freud’s work is admired, which should be a very long time indeed’ – Lynn Barber, The Sunday Times
‘Beautifully published, with wonderfully selected illustrations – succeeds in creating a bridge between Freud the artist and Freud the man’ – Book of the Week, Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday
‘A rich mix of the conversation, remembrances, working practices and musings on art and life that were the by-products of the exchanges between artist and subject … fascinating and thoughtful … both picture and book are a striking success’ – The Sunday Telegraph
‘Freud is vividly surprising, potent and dynamic … [his] insights are piercing and astringent … a portrait of an anarchic painter with views on everything from Leonardo’s failings to Princess Margaret’s voice’ – The Observer
‘Told in the form of a diary, sitting by sitting, easily, conversationally, insightfully, with a delicate humour … enthralling’ – Michael Glover, The Independent
‘A portrait of the artist, his adventures with lowlife and royalty alike, and his scathingly witty opinions on art.’ – The Sunday Times
‘An art book unlike any other … beautifully illustrated throughout, not only with Freud’s own paintings, to enlighten the reader on references in the text’ – Daily Mail
‘Fascinating … a forensic record of how our foremost figurative painter worked … By the end, in memory, you can see the artist almost whole’ – The Daily Telegraph
‘Well worth reading for the riveting details of Freud’s work methods and conversation … the anecdotes are great fun’ – Elspeth Barker, The Literary Review
‘Revealing and important … a significant insight into the working practice of one of Britain’s greatest living artists' – Country Life
‘Bristles with wonderful facts … Gayford records all with Boswellian insight … We are privileged to have this record of Freud with his dynamic energy as he looks, looks and looks again at the human face before he makes his mark on the canvas – his never-ending quest to get it right’ – The Irish Times
Click the links below for full reviews online:
• Guardian review by Frances Spalding 24 Sept 2010
• Observer review by Laura Cumming 26 Sept 2010
• Sunday Telegraph review by Michael Prodger 26 Sept 2010
• Daily Mail review published 10 Sept 2010
• Daily Telegraph review by Martin Herbert 10 Sept 2010
• Evening Standard, Londoner's Diary 15 Sept 2010
• Independent, review by Michael Glover 17 Sept 2010
• BBC Radio Front Row interview with John Wilson 7 Sept 2010
• Apollo Magazine 29th Aug 2010
• y.Buzz 26 Sept 2010
• The Arts Desk