Gagosian in partnership with English Heritage is currently exhibiting two Francis Bacon paintings in the London exhibition Visions of the Self: Rembrandt and Now.* Study for Self-Portrait, 1972 and the pictured focus this month Three Studies for a Self-Portrait, 1967 feature in the show.
In the Francis Bacon: Catalogue Raisonné Martin Harrison, FSA, writes of Three Studies for a Self-Portrait, 1972:
‘The collapsed head in the right panel was based on a photograph of a World War I bomb victim, reproduced in John Masters, FOURTEEN EIGHTEEN (1965). The head in the centre panel appears to almost slide from the canvas, melting in gestural paint, as if it had been painted from Bacon’s reflection in a distorting mirror.’
Find out more about the opportunity to view Bacon’s paintings at Visions of the Self: Rembrandt and Now at Gagosian London here. The exhibition closes 18 May 2019.
If you’d like to find out about ordering a copy of the Francis Bacon: Catalogue Raisonné please visit Heni Publishing’s website.
Excerpts and word ref: Martin Harrison, FSA. Three Studies for a Self-Portrait, 1967, Francis Bacon: Catalogue Raisonné, 2016, Volume III, pages 828–829.
Word ref: Gagosian press release.
*Please note accessibility and venue terms and conditions may apply. All details including dates, names, featured works, opening days/hours are subject to change. If you're planning a visit, we first recommend checking with Gagosian for all confirmations regarding this exhibition.
