Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon and Frank Auerbach form part of Sotheby’s summer exhibition

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Masterpieces from Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon and Frank Auerbach will be displayed at Sotheby’s as part of their summer exhibition celebrating Britain as an artistic ‘cultural melting pot’. The month-long exhibition, London: An Artistic Crossroads, will be free of charge and bring together an assemblage of remarkable works by artists who passed through or settled in the UK during their lifetime “In its own unique way, the UK has for centuries been a magnet for artists, thinkers and writers from around the world, attracted both by a broad spectrum of patronage - from royal to mercantile - and a tradition of open mindedness,” André Zlattinger, UK Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s said. “Their time here has often been marked by moments of exceptional artistic flourishing that underpin the rich, multicultural and innovative art scene that is as much a characteristic of the UK today as it always has been.” open image in gallery Piet Mondrian’s iconic 1935 painting Composition C with Red, Yellow, and Blue is on view at Sotheby open image in gallery Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger’s portrait of Frances Howard, Duchesss of Richmond and Lennox, from c. 1621 The earliest of the works is a vivacious portrait by Flemish artist Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, who became one of the most sought-after portraitists in England during the 16th century. open image in gallery Freud’s portrait of his friend John Minton is on display Painted in London in 1952, Freud’s portrait of his friend John Minton - a teacher and an artist himself - will be displayed at the exhibition and is a significant work produced during a crucial period in the artist’s career.