• Francis Bacon, Born in Dublin, 1909

    Francis Bacon

    Born in Dublin, 1909

    Francis Bacon first emerged within the art world in the 1940s with his haunting and visceral depictions of the human form. The Dublin-born painter has remained a central figure in 20th-century art. His raw, often disturbing imagery, infused with existential intensity, has captivated audiences, keeping his work at the forefront of the art world.

     

    Bacon didn't begin painting until his early 20s. Prior to selling his artworks, he worked as an interior decorator, living on a trustfund and petty thefts. He was a social young man who spent his time drinking with friends in Soho and gambling, leading to his reputation as a 'Bon Vivant'. Passionate about literature and philosophy, Bacon's bohemian lifestyle was accompanied by an interest in Nietzchean attitudes and existential contemplation, both of which fed into the development of his art. His oeuvre encompasses a range of styles, beginning with chaotic, texture portraits and expressionist depictions of his subjects early in his artistic career, then refining his practice through his life which culminated in distorted figures placed within very minimalistic settings.

  • "I always think of myself not so much as a painter, but as a medium for accident and chance"

     

    - Francis Bacon

    Bacon’s work is known for its brutal, yet deeply emotional exploration of the human condition. His distorted figures, often trapped within confined spaces, reflect his preoccupation with themes of isolation, suffering, and existential dread. Drawing inspiration from sources as diverse as Surrealism, photography, and classical art, Bacon’s paintings convey a sense of raw psychological intensity. His masterful use of colour — ranging from fleshy tones to violent reds — heightens the emotional impact of his work. Throughout his career, Bacon developed a unique approach to portraying the body in a way that transcends realism, often evoking a primal and visceral response from viewers. His works remain among the most powerful and enduring expressions of 20th-century art.

  • Early to Mid-career

    Circa 1930s - 1960s

  • Head Series I - VI

    Created 1948 - 1949
  • Bacon's work is recognised for his visceral, disturbing and sometimes upsetting qualities, often creating a binary in audiences' opinions of...
    Bacon's work is recognised for his visceral, disturbing and sometimes upsetting qualities, often creating a binary in audiences' opinions of his work. Although his art creates a strong sense of existentialism and nihilism, these themes also ran through his personal life. Balancing his thoughtful, contemplative attitudes, he was also known for being charismatic and cultured. However, these concepts of nihilism later became more consuming through trauma in his private life. 
     
    On multiple occasions during his career, Bacon suffered huge losses during landmark moments. During the opening of his 1962  retrospective at the Tate, he was informed of the death of his previous lover, Peter Lacy. Despite having been apart for a long time, and Lacy's relationship with alcohol being known, Bacon was deeply impacted by this loss. In a later cruel reflection of this event, prior to the opening of his 1971 exhibiton at the Grand Palais in Paris, his partner, George Dyer, was found dead from an overdose. Bacon and his associates discovered Dyer's body and persuaded hotel staff to not announce the death for 2 days, and later attended the opening of the exhibition, demonstrating a strange detachment from the situation. It's unclear what caused this choice, however Bacon began to demonstrate the affect of this loss for the rest of his career, isolating himself from his friends and fellow artists, and delving into more personal depictions of loss, bereavement and the complexity associated with these emotions within his art.

  • Later Works

    Created After 1970

  • Iconic & Public Works