Portrait of Francis Bacon, 1984
About this artwork
Bernard took several photographs of the artist Francis Bacon in his studio in 1984. The pair met around 1948, and at that point Bacon had established himself as one of the most controversial figures in post-war British art – a status he retained throughout his remaining career. However, this portrait varies from the others Bernard took of Bacon. It is a close-up of just his face (in comparison to those where an importance was also placed on his studio). Cropped across his forehead and chin, the framing accentuates his frank expression and look of knowing intelligence. This recalls what Bernard wrote about him in 1995: “He seemed quite unique to me at twenty – magical – his extraordinary energy and intelligence.”
Updated before 2020
-
artist:Bruce Bernard (1928 - 2000) English
-
title:Portrait of Francis Bacon, 1984
-
date created:1984
-
materials:Silver bromide print on paper
-
measurements:28.80 x 42.70 cm (paper 40.40 x 50.40 cm)
-
object type:
-
credit line:Purchased by the Patrons of the National Galleries of Scotland 2003
-
accession number:GMA 4702
-
gallery:
Bruce Bernard
Bruce Bernard
Bruce Bernard is best known for his work as Picture Editor on the Sunday Times magazine during the 1970s, and as an influential writer on art and photography. He studied at St Martin’s School of Art and although he did not complete his course, he developed the art knowledge and critical faculties...