A Horrific Introduction to the Artwork of Francis Bacon

Posted by J Meyers on May 03, 2021

francis bacon dark terrifying artist painting

Francis Bacon - Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion (1944) | © cea +/Flickr

Francis Bacon - the famously troubled Irish-born painter who created grotesque and visually powerful Artworks. Bacon used his characteristic bold color and deformed figures to create a thoroughly modern yet horrific collection of Art (A darkness that was highly influential to 20th century Artists the world over). Much has been written on Bacon who maintained a respect for the tenets of traditional Art while displaying a dark array of emotion directly on canvas. Troubled during his life (That's an easy way of putting it) Bacon's Art tells a tumultuous story of existence; his childhood, existentialist conflicts and the World Wars.

Bacon achieved widespread recognition and critical acclaim for his work, and his paintings have been exhibited in major galleries and museums around the world. He was also known for his tumultuous personal life, which was marked by substance abuse, relationships with younger partners, and a series of tumultuous romantic relationships. Despite these struggles, Bacon remained a highly influential figure in the art world, and his work continues to be widely admired and studied. He died in Madrid, Spain in 1992 at the age of 82.

We have chosen some of our favorite works below as a simple introduction.

Francis Bacon, Study after Velazquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X

Francis Bacon, Study after Velazquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X Painting | © libby rosof/Flickr

“Bacon combined horrific imagery with traditional religious or literary sources, depicting crucifixions, screaming popes, and tortured bodies as he transcribed the brutality and isolation of those pushed to the limits of endurance. In doing so, he expanded the figurative tradition of Western painting. (Hishorn)”

Over the Artist's career Bacon would return to certain visual concepts; such as the screaming mouth, the crucifixion and biomorphism - all to terrifying effect.

figure with meat dark painting by Francis bacon British artist

Francis Bacon, Figure with Meat (1954), Oil on canvas, Image via arttattler.com

Francis Bacon: A Brush with Violence (2017) "Francis Bacon was the loudest, rudest, drunkest, most sought-after British artist of the 20th century. Twenty-five years after his death, his canvases regularly exceed £40million at auction."

francis bacon art studio mess