Interesting the way he used photographs of the work of Velazquez, e.g. pope Innocent X, as a source of inspiration. The same for his portraits. Interesting that there is presently a whole public debate ongoing in The Netherlands on the artistic (re)interpretation of photographs by painters. It is not easy to draw a line between a simple painted copy and a proper interpretation…..
Bacon as a person, I find fascinating: completely dedicated to his art, not bothering about the demands of ‘the market’. Simon Schama, the well-known historian, stated in a BBC documentary: “They say that money follows art. Well, art quite likes money too.” This ia apparently not the case with Bacon. Bacon is remarkable for the quality of his work, his permanent search for perfection and his ability to visualize his own emotions.
Bacon stated: “To find your true path, you must be as free as possible to cast adrift.” And drifting was certainly what he did, during his turbulent life, resulting in an truly original and fascinating creativity.
Quite some people dislike his grotesque figures and darkish themes. However, his art really reflected how he was and lived, it is highly personal, inward looking and preoccupied with his inner themes.
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