English Heritage have announced that the life of Francis Bacon is to be celebrated with a blue plaque at 7 Reece Mews, South Kensington, London. The artist moved into the London property in 1961. It was to remain his principle home and studio until his death in 1992.
'I am very influenced by places - by the atmosphere of a room... I just knew from the very moment that I came here that I would be able to work here'. - Francis Bacon
The English Heritage London blue plaques scheme, which has been running for 150 years, links significant figures of the past to the buildings in which they lived and worked.
'Francis Bacon is widely regarded as one of the most significant painters of the 20th century. His blue plaque will mark the converted stable block in South Kensington where he lived for more than 30 years. It was here that he painted some of his most celebrated works including Three Studies for a Crucifixion, 1962, and Portrait of George Dyer Talking, 1966.' - English Heritage
Bacon is one of six individuals to be recognised with Blue Plaques in 2017. Other lives celebrated include: Charlie Chaplin, performer Sir John Gielgud, women's rights campaigner Mary Macarthur, dancer Rudolf Nureyev and volunteering advocate Stella Lady Reading.
Bacon is also presently recognised by two other players. A National Art Collections Fund plaque marks where the artist and other notable residents lived at 7 Cromwell Place, London. A Dublin Tourism plaque marks the artist's birthplace at 63 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin.
If you're interested in more information on Francis Bacon's studio, essays and photographs are available on our website. We also recommend the photography publication '7 Reece Mews: Francis Bacon's Studio'.
