"Painting is sometimes like those recipes where you do all manner of elaborate things to a duck, and then end up putting it on one side and only using the skin"

The quote by Lucian Freud supplies an insightful metaphor into the creative process, recommending that the essence of painting, like an intricate recipe, often resides in unanticipated places. Freud relates the complexities of painting with the fancy preparations in a premium duck dish. Simply as a dish may require many steps to establish flavors and textures, the process of painting includes numerous layers of thought, strategy, and detail. This comparison highlights the tiresome and frequently detailed journey artists carry out to attain their last work.

Nevertheless, Freud emphasizes a seemingly paradoxical outcome: after substantial effort, the focus or the most appreciated part may be simply the "skin." This likely recommendations the last visual impression or surface look of a painting. In essence, after a painstaking development procedure, what eventually strikes the audience may be the immediate visual impact, texture, or surface qualities of the art work rather than its underlying complexity. This highlights the artist's difficulty of conveying depth, feeling, and idea through a medium that, at a look, uses a particular point of view.

Moreover, there's an intrinsic commentary on worth and perception within both cooking and art. In cooking, particularly in the world of nouvelle cuisine, the skin of the duck is prized for its taste and texture, typically specifying the meal's success. Similarly, in art, the surface area-- the visible layer-- frequently bears the weight of critical judgment, just like the skin amasses gratitude in a dish.

This quote invites reflection on the dualities of effort and recognition, depth and surface area, as well as the artist's understanding that much of their work will live beneath what is very first viewed. Freud catches the nuanced reality that while depth and preparation are vital, what mesmerizes the audience is the uniquely presented final product. Basically, Freud acknowledges that in both art and cooking endeavors, often it's the beautiful conclusion of everything hidden that lies just beneath the surface area, producing a resonant and unforgettable experience.