**Frank Auerbach, Iconic 20th Century Painter, Passes Away at 93**

Renowned painter Frank Auerbach, known for his distinctive style and contributions to 20th-century art, has passed away at the age of 93. The artist's representatives confirmed that Auerbach died at his London home earlier this week.

Auerbach, who was born in Berlin in 1931, escaped to Britain in 1939 as part of the Kindertransport program, which rescued Jewish children from the clutches of Nazi Germany during World War II. Tragically, his parents were later killed in the Auschwitz concentration camp.

The artist pursued his education at the St Martin's School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London. Auerbach committed himself to painting, earning a place among the standout artists of the 20th century. Notably, he worked and resided in the same north London studio from 1954 until his passing.

As a key figure in the "School of London" post-war artists, alongside contemporaries like Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, and Leon Kossoff, Auerbach's work was defined by thick layers of paint that created near-abstract but identifiable scenes. Despite shifting trends in the art world, Auerbach remained dedicated to figurative painting.

In a 1986 career milestone, Auerbach represented Britain at the Venice Biennale, earning the prestigious Golden Lion award. In recent years, his paintings commanded significant prices, highlighted by the 2023 sale of "Mornington Crescent" at Sotheby's for $7.1 million, a record for the artist.

Auerbach's contributions continued to be celebrated, with his most recent exhibition, "Frank Auerbach: The Charcoal Heads," launching in February at London's Courtauld Gallery. He is survived by his son, Jacob Auerbach, who continues to honor his father’s legacy.