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Artists in 60 Seconds: Francis Bacon

By , About.com Guide

© Christie's Images Ltd. 2008; used with permission

Francis Bacon (British, b. Ireland, 1909-1992). Triptych, 1974-77. Oil, pastel and Letraset on canvas, in three parts. Each: 78 x 58 1/8 in. (198 x 147.5 cm). Overall: 78 x 174 1/4 in. (198 x 442.5 cm).

© Christie's Images Ltd. 2008

Movement, Style, School or Type of Art:

Expressionism

Date and Place of Birth:

October 28, 1909, Dublin, Ireland

Life:

Francis Bacon is, perhaps, best known through stories of his lifestyle, drinking and proclivities - mentioned here only because they made him somewhat legendary in artistic circles. He got his start designing furniture and interiors, while his painting (on the side) developed a Surrealistic lean. His work, which burst on the scene in the late 1940s, is characterized by semi-abstracted figures, his fondness of triptychs and choice of disturbing themes.

Important Works:

  • Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion, 1944
  • Study after Velazquez's Pope Innocent X, 1950
  • Study after the Life Mask of William Blake, 1955

Date and Place of Death:

April 28, 1992, Madrid, Spain

Go to Artist Profiles: Names beginning with "B" or Artist Profiles: Main Index

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