Born in Germany in 1931, Frank Auerbach moved to Britain as a child in 1939 and later became a naturalized citizen. He studied at St Martin's School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London, where he developed his distinctive style under the influence of the post-war figurative tradition. He emerged as a central figure in the School of London, maintaining close professional ties with contemporaries such as Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud.

Auerbach is best known for his intense, sculptural application of paint, often reworking his canvases over long periods to achieve a dense, layered surface. His practice focused primarily on portraiture of a small circle of sitters and the urban landscapes of his long-term home in Camden Town. His process involved scraping away layers of paint to reveal the structural essence of his subjects, resulting in works that balance abstraction with deep psychological observation.

Throughout his career, Auerbach maintained a consistent presence in major international collections and auction houses. His work continues to be featured in significant institutional exhibitions and high-profile sales, cementing his legacy as a pivotal figure in 20th-century British art.