"I paint people not because of what they are like, not exactly in spite of what they are like, but how they happen to be"

Lucian Freud, the renowned British painter understood for his impasto portraits and nudes, often dug deeply into the essence of his subjects. This quote provides insight into his creative viewpoint and methodology.

When Freud states, "I paint individuals not because of what they are like," he challenges the idea of traditional portraiture's function. Standard portraits frequently aim to record the similarity or social status of an individual, depicting characteristics that specify their external identity. However, Freud distances himself from such a technique. He indicates an intentional avoidance of painting people merely for their external characteristics or perceived identities.

The subsequent expression, "not precisely in spite of what they are like," recommends a nuanced relationship in between subject and painter. Freud acknowledges that the essence of his topics can not be totally overlooked or dismissed. This part of the quote reflects the concept that while the recognizable features or roles of his subjects do not drive his work, they inadvertently contribute. It is an acceptance that an individual's external identity and internal essence are intertwined and can not be entirely separated in a picture.

The concluding part, "but how they happen to be," emphasizes Freud's focus on capturing the real essence and the short-term truth of his subjects at specific minutes. This method suggests an authenticity that goes beyond fixed representation. It has to do with rendering the immediacy and truth of their existence-- a short-lived glance into being. Freud's interest lies in the raw reality of human condition, with all its flaws and idiosyncrasies, instead of refined façades or idealized representations.

In essence, Freud's quote shows his extensive interest in the human condition, portraying his topics with a honesty that acknowledges both their special personal realities and the universality of their mankind. His art looks for to exceed surface-level looks, penetrating much deeper into the intricacies and subtleties that make up an individual's existence in a given moment.