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Francis Bacon

BritishBritish
, b. 1909

Francis Bacon's evocative and unsettling portraits delve into the deep-seated fears prevalent in post-war Europe and the artist's own inner turmoil. With distorted faces and eerie crucifixes set against suffocating backgrounds, Bacon creates a haunting atmosphere amplified by his unsettling color choices. Drawing inspiration from masters like Van Gogh and Velázquez, he reinterprets their dramatic flair to mirror the tumultuous modern era. His tumultuous personal life, marked by violent relationships, adds a darker, more intimate dimension to his artistry. Entering his artistic prime in his thirties, Bacon gained significant recognition, showcasing his work in major art hubs like New York, Paris, London, Berlin, and Moscow. His pieces now grace esteemed collections such as the Tate, the Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Pompidou, and the Stedelijk Museum, fetching staggering prices exceeding $100 million in the secondary market. Notably, his 1969 triptych, "Three Studies of Lucian Freud," briefly held the record for the most expensive artwork sold at auction in 2013, commanding an astounding $142.4 million.