Francis Bacon’s Turbulent Relationships Shape ‘Human Presence’

Francis Bacon's Turbulent Relationships Shape 'Human Presence'

As a seasoned art enthusiast who’s traversed through numerous galleries and exhibitions, I must say that Francis Bacon: Human Presence at the National Portrait Gallery is a masterful journey into the heart of human emotion. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but then again, neither was Bacon’s life. His work mirrors his tumultuous existence, and it’s as raw and unfiltered as a punch to the gut.


Francis Bacon’s artwork is unrelentingly bold. His portraits, characterized by distortion, rawness, and intense emotional intensity, are showcased in the National Portrait Gallery’s exhibition titled Francis Bacon: Human Presence. This exhibit covers various stages of his career, from his early 1940s portraits to self-portraits and deeply intimate works from the 1960s. It serves as an exploration of how Bacon redefined traditional portrait painting by using his personal struggles as inspiration.

The impact of his relationships, particularly his partner Peter Lacy, stands out prominently – the sensitivity of Peter is vividly portrayed amidst turmoil. Bacon’s choice to work with a triptych style highlights the deterioration of their relationship, depicting distorted faces that resemble monstrosities. The tragic event of George Dyer’s suicide just prior to a significant exhibition deeply affected Bacon. A 1973 self-portrait reveals him struggling profoundly with this grief, his facial features barely discernible.

Francis Bacon: Human Presence is on view at the National Portrait Gallery until January 19, 2025.

National Portrait Gallery
St. Martin’s Pl
London WC2H 0HE
United Kingdom

Read More

Sorry. No data so far.

2024-10-15 23:56