ACCLAIMED AND FAMOUS BRITISH ARTISTS

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Bacon, Francis (1909-1992)

Francis Bacon was born in Ireland but came to London, England in 1925. He was a self taught artist and at the age of 34 he exhibited an art work entitled 'Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion' at the Lefevre Gallery, London. This was the beginning of his fame. The art work is now in the Tate Gallery, London.

Bacon developed his own original form of art interpretation, mainly with distorted human figures. He has many imitators but Bacon painted from the heart inspired by his own emotions about religion and humanity. Bacon subverted the accepted tryptic format used in Renaissance religious art and altarpieces to show the virtues of Christ to show the evils of man.

Bacon's most famous example of religious subversion is Pope Innocent X - originally a famous portrait by Velazquez - Bacon turned the portrait into a screaming mask of angst.

Bacon's work was satirical, horrifying, and hallucinatory with excellent technique and driving motivation.

 

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Bacon's art works can be found in:

Astrup Fearnley Museet for Moderne Kunst, Norway

Guggenheim Museum

Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums, Scotland Pope I - Study after Pope Innocent X by Velazquez 1951

Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australia

Göteborg Museum of Art, Sweden

Hatton Gallery at the University of Newcastle

Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, Amsterdam

Tate Gallery, London

Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Iran

Museum of Modern Art, New York

Arts Council of Great Britain, London

Detroit Institute of Arts

Des Moines Art Center, Iowa

Musee National d'Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris