Study for a Portrait by Francis Bacon
Who was artist Francis Bacon?
Francis Bacon (1909-1992) was an Irish-born British artist who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figurative painters of the 20th century. He was known for his distinctive and often unsettling style, characterized by distorted, fragmented, and emotionally charged images.
Bacon was born on October 28, 1909, in Dublin, Ireland. He spent much of his early life in London, England. In his youth, Bacon traveled across Europe and was exposed to various art movements, including Surrealism and Expressionism, which influenced his artistic development.
Bacon’s works are known for their raw and visceral depiction of the human form. He often portrayed distorted and contorted figures, exploring themes of anguish, violence, and the human condition. His paintings were characterized by bold brushwork, intense colors, and a sense of emotional intensity.
Francis Bacon Study for a Portrait
Some of Bacon’s most famous works include “Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion” (1944), “Study after Velázquez’s Portrait of Pope Innocent X” (1953), and the “Screaming Pope” series. He also frequently depicted popes, animals, and self-portraits in his paintings.
Throughout his career, Bacon received numerous accolades and international recognition. He had major retrospective exhibitions at prestigious institutions, including the Tate Gallery in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His work continues to be highly sought after by collectors, and his paintings have achieved record-breaking prices at auctions.
Francis Bacon’s contributions to modern art were significant. His innovative approach to figurative painting, with its raw emotion and existential themes, challenged traditional notions of representation and had a lasting impact on subsequent generations of artists. Despite his controversial subject matter and unconventional style, Bacon is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th century.
The iconic art work of Francis Bacon
Renowned artist Francis Bacon may be know as one the bleakest macabre painters of the 20th century. Yet, the remarkable work for which he is responsible consists of masterpieces of existential and expressionistic genius. Bacon is one of my absolute all-time favorite painters after Ivan Albright with Dali and Otto Dix coming in a close third and fourth. Through the works of this visionary, Bacon aided in revolutionizing the Post-World War II art movement with his strong depictions of recurring torment, crucifixion, and grotesque facial expressions.
Bacon’s painting, “Study for a Portrait”, recently sold through power auction house, Christie’s, bringing in an astounding 28.7 million dollars. “Study for a Portrait” made history this past week by becoming the “…second most valuable piece to be sold at its [Christie’s] postwar and contemporary art auctions in London,” according to Christie’s.
The record holder for said title also belongs to Francis Bacon for the sale of his work of art, “Triptych 1974-77”, which sold three years ago at an astounding 26.3 million pounds.
Study of a Portrait by Francis Bacon
Whether one loves or hates Francis Bacon’s work, one can not deny the craft of his beautifully tormented subject matter, the raw emotion evoked from his paintings, and the undeniable talent of such a provocative artist.
This Art Blog was published by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs in New York City.
