Francis Bacon: Portrait, 1962

Francis Bacon's portrait of his first partner, Peter Lacy, is a striking work that was unknown to the public for decades. It was acquired by Italian film director Michelangelo Antonioni and remained in private hands until now. Markus Rath has embedded the painting into Bacon's visual world for the first time, revealing a biographical figuration and pioneering approaches to composition that shaped his late work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 130 pages
Publication date: 19 February 2024
Publisher: De Gruyter

Francis Bacon's captivating portrait of his first partner, Peter Lacy, is a work that elicits a simultaneous sense of allure and repulsion. This monumental portrait, dating back to 1962, remained largely unknown to the public for an extended period. Interestingly, it was shortly after its creation that Italian film director Michelangelo Antonioni acquired the masterpiece, keeping it in private hands for decades. This particular work holds significant importance, as it marks a pivotal moment in Bacon's artistic journey. Markus Rath's contribution is noteworthy, as he seamlessly integrates the painting into Bacon's visual realm, creating a new dimension to its interpretation. In this portrait, Bacon employs a biographical figuration, focusing his compositional arrangement on the stage-like interior. This creates a stark contrast between the two-dimensional ground and the vividly color-saturated figure, showcasing pioneering approaches to composition that would profoundly shape his later work.

Weight: 226g
Dimension: 132 x 200 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783422801813