Lucian Freud's Painting of Sue Tilley Expected to Fetch Up to $47 Million at Auction
Sue Tilley, once an unemployment office worker, became a renowned figure in the art world after posing for British artist Lucian Freud in the 1990s. Freud's painting 'Sleeping by the Lion Carpet,' featuring Tilley, is set to be auctioned at Sotheby's with an estimated value between $33 million and $47 million. This painting is the last of Freud's four monumental portraits of Tilley, known for their unsparing yet warm depiction of human form. Tilley, who has not profited from the auction sales of these paintings, expressed no regrets about her involvement, stating that the experience significantly changed her life. Freud, a celebrated British portrait painter, was known for his fleshy nudes and has seen his reputation grow posthumously. The auction is part of a larger sale from the collection of British billionaire Joe Lewis, featuring works by other renowned artists. 
