Francis Bacon

Born in Dublin in 1909, Bacon is probably considered by many to be this century's painter of violence and horror stories. At first, many of his images do appear horrific, but, looked at more closely, the application of the paint is quite beautiful - the colours sensual and romantic. He remains one of the most intriguing painters of the 20th century, a controversial free spirit, with a rakish lifestyle to match: a creator of disturbing images seemingly dragged out of the unconscious - yet images that are often very moving as well.

"The moment you know what to do you're just making another sort of illustration."

"There is an area of the nervous system to which the texture of paint communicates more violently than anything else."

Painting

1946

Study after Velazquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X

1953

Man with Dog

1953

 

Three Studies for a Crucifixion

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1962

 

Self Portrait

1971

Three Studies of Figures on Beds

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1972

Second Version of Triptych

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1988

Jet of Water

1988

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