The Sainsbury Centre For Visual Arts is offering visitors the opportunity to view nine Francis Bacon paintings, showcasing two decades of the late artist's work. Seven Bacon paintings, are on display in their free to view permanent collection: Portrait of R.J. Sainsbury 1955, Sketch for a Portrait of Lisa 1955, Portrait of Lisa 1956, Portrait of Lisa 1957, Head of a Man 1960 (catalogue raisonné number: 60-15), Head of a Man 1960 (catalogue raisonné number: 60-12), and Head of a Woman, 1960. These works are set to be on display until at least October 2016*. Another two Bacon Paintings are on display in the new ticketed exhibition 'Alberto Giacometti: A Line Through Time': Study of a Nude c.1952-53, and Three Studies for a Portrait of Isabel Rawthorne 1965. The show opened 23 April and will run through to 29 August. The inclusion of Bacon's works in this Giacometti show is to show the Swiss Sculptor's impact on Britain. Bacon met Giacometti in a café in Paris. He approached the sculptor and told him how much he admired his work. Bacon also liked Giacometti’s lifestyle in that despite his wealth he continued to work in his small, cluttered studio near Montparnasse. His lack of interest in official honours and success also appealed to Bacon. Parallels can be made between both artists’ lives in that neither accumulated many possessions but were extremely generous to friends and liked to frequent good restaurants and leave huge tips. The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts is an inspirational public art museum situated on the campus of the University of East Anglia in Norwich. Gifted by Sir Robert and Lady Lisa Sainsbury to the University in 1973, the Sainsbury Collection includes the largest group of early paintings by Francis Bacon in Northern Europe. During the 1950’s, Robert and Lisa Sainsbury developed a close relationship with Francis Bacon, cemented in 1955 when Lisa commissioned him to make a portrait of Sir Robert, the only time Bacon agreed to such a venture. In the same year, Bacon began a series of portraits of Lisa of which ‘Sketch for a Portrait of Lisa’ is the earliest surviving example. 'Alberto Giacometti: A Line Through Time' 23 April - 29 August 2016 SCVA, Norwich, UK Word ref: SCVA website, special thanks to Kiran Miller-Burton. *Please note all details including featured works, display/exhibition dates and hours are subject to change, and tickets are subject to availability and access, for all confirmation please contact the SCVA.
