Frank Auerbach's Head of David Landau (2005–2006) was born out of a profound and enduring collaboration between the artist and his sitter, David Landau. Landau, an esteemed art historian, businessman, and former trustee of the National Gallery, was a dedicated subject for Auerbach since 1984, attending weekly sessions in the artist's studio for nearly three decades. The two met in 1983 when Landau sought a portraitist for historian Asa Briggs on behalf of Worcester College, Oxford. Although Auerbach did not undertake the Briggs portrait, this introduction marked the beginning of a prolific partnership, with Landau sitting for Auerbach over fifty times.

In Head of David Landau, Auerbach employs a warm palette, with vivid reds, yellows, and browns applied in thick, expressive strokes. The composition captures Landau's likeness with an intensity that transcends mere representation, delving into the psychological and emotional facets of the sitter. Auerbach's approach to portraiture is both rigorous and transformative. He is known for reworking his canvases extensively, often scraping down and repainting multiple times to capture the essence of his subject. Landau has reflected on this meticulous process, noting, “It is a bit disturbing... you think this was a really beautiful picture and yet it wasn't good enough for him. Next time you arrive it will be a scraped down ghost.” This iterative technique results in a rich, textured surface, embodying the depth of observation and emotional resonance characteristic of Auerbach's work.

Auerbach was committed to exploring the complexities of human presence through paint. Each portrait of Landau offers a unique interpretation, reflecting the relationship between artist and sitter over time. Landau has described this long-standing relationship as both a privilege and a profound experience, stating, “Frank takes so much trouble to convey our lives and our existence it makes us feel we matter.”