FREUDIAN HIP
LUCIAN FREUD's portrait of a pregnant and naked Kate Moss, unveiled at Christie's yesterday, looks set to fetch at least £3.5 million at auction. The near-lifesize portrait by the 81-year old artist has been hailed by experts at the auction house as "the slow scrutiny of the Old Masters meets the world of contemporary fashion". The serendipitous relationship between the pair began when Freud read an article in Dazed and Confused, the publication edited by Moss' on-off boyfriend Jefferson Hack, which mentioned that it was the supermodel's ambition to be painted by Freud. Despite his usual reluctance to use professional models, Freud embarked on the work, titled Naked Portrait 2002, in 2001. Works by Freud are rare and highly sought-after and bets are now on as to whether this painting, set to be auctioned on February 9 2005, may even challenge the current world best price for a Freud of £5.8 million. (29 October 2004, AM)