APPOART

“Painting is a duality and abstract painting is an entirely aesthetic thing”

Francis Bacon is an Irish renowned artist known especially for his disturbing paintings. He was born in Dublin in 1909 and his production counts more than 500 paintings. He had inherited asthma from his grandfather and he couldn’t stay near dogs or horses. This didn’t have a good impact on his relationship with his father as he was a hardened hunter.

He didn’t have a strong instruction as his poor health didn’t allow him to go to school frequently and he didn’t get the chance to have a defined culture. These conditions significantly marked his style and his art. 

He successively moved to London in 1926 where some relatives of his mother lived and helped him to cover his living expenses. Then he moved to Paris where he had influences in all application ranges. Once he participated in a Picasso exhibition and found his inspiration to start painting. 

Then he moved back to London and started working as an interior designer. He bought a garage that turned into a studio and started painting his ideas.

Artistic style:

Francis Bacon developed a highly distinctive style that set him apart as one of the most influential painters of the 20th century. His raw, unsettling imagery focused on the human form, often depicting distorted figures isolated in stark, geometric settings. Key elements of Bacon’s style include:

Distorted Figures: Bacon’s subjects, which included portraits, self-portraits, and figures in religious scenes, were characterized by extreme physical distortion. He rendered the human body in a state of flux, with twisted, elongated limbs and contorted facial features. This allowed him to convey a sense of psychological unease and existential anguish.

Screaming Mouths: a recurring motif in Bacon’s paintings, especially in the late 1940s and 1950s, was the screaming mouth. He drew inspiration from diverse sources like medical textbooks, Matthias Grünewald’s religious paintings, and a famous scene from Eisenstein’s film Battleship Potemkin. The screaming mouth became a catalyst for Bacon’s work, symbolizing the anguish and terror of the human condition.

Geometric Structures: Bacon often placed his distorted figures within stark, geometric frameworks, such as cages or rooms. These structures served to isolate the subjects, emphasizing their loneliness and entrapment. The geometric forms also created a sense of tension and claustrophobia within the compositions.

Most important works:

1. Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion (1944)

This triptych is a seminal work that established Bacon’s reputation. It depicts three distorted figures that evoke themes of pain and suffering, drawing inspiration from the Furies of Greek mythology. The figures, portrayed in a haunting manner, reflect the post-war anxieties of the time, particularly in the context of the Holocaust and the horrors of World War II. This painting is housed in the Tate collection in the UK.

2. Study after Velázquez’s Portrait of Pope Innocent X (1953)

One of Bacon’s most recognized works, this painting reinterprets Diego Velázquez’s 17th-century portrait of Pope Innocent X. Bacon’s version transforms the pope into a figure of chaos and torment, with a screaming mouth and a distorted visage. This work is notable for its exploration of authority and fear, and it remains a powerful representation of Bacon’s ability to merge classical influences with modern existential themes. It is part of the collection at the Des Moines Art Center.

3. Painting (1946)

This work is a visceral response to the atrocities of World War II, featuring a central figure that evokes a sense of brutality and despair. The painting includes a black umbrella and alludes to the former British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, juxtaposed against a backdrop of butchered animal carcasses. This piece encapsulates Bacon’s critique of societal norms and the underlying brutality of human nature.

4. Figure with Meat (1954)

In this disturbing work, Bacon depicts a figure resembling Pope Innocent X seated in front of a split cow carcass. This painting underscores Bacon’s fascination with death and the grotesque, serving as a stark reminder of mortality. The use of meat as a motif reflects Bacon’s interest in butcher shops and the visceral nature of existence.

5. Triptych May-June 1973 (1974)

This triptych is a poignant tribute to Bacon’s lover, George Dyer, who died in 1971. It captures themes of loss and mourning, portraying Dyer in various states of anguish. The emotional intensity of this work marks a significant moment in Bacon’s later career, reflecting his preoccupation with death and the passage of time.

Exhibitions:

Francis Bacon: Human Presence

Location: National Portrait Gallery, London

Dates: October 10, 2024 – January 19, 2025

Overview: This exhibition will explore Bacon’s deep connection to portraiture, showcasing how he challenged traditional definitions of the genre. It will feature works from the 1950s onward, including self-portraits and portraits of notable figures such as Lucian Freud and George Dyer. The exhibition aims to tell Bacon’s life story through his art, highlighting his innovative approach to capturing the human experience. Tickets are not yet on sale, but visitors can subscribe to the gallery’s newsletter for updates on ticket availability and events.

Francis Bacon and the Existential Condition in Contemporary Art

Location: Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, Italy

Dates: Not specified in the search results, but it is part of a broader examination of Bacon’s influence on contemporary artists.

Overview: This exhibition will place Bacon’s work in dialogue with that of contemporary artists, exploring themes related to the existential condition and the depiction of the human figure. It aims to reflect on the questions of identity and existence that resonate in both Bacon’s art and the works of modern creators.