FRANCIS BACON, LUCIAN FREUD

Francis Bacon, known for his powerful and visceral paintings, also experimented with printmaking. His prints often feature distorted and fragmented human figures, echoing the existential angst and psychological turmoil prevalent in his paintings. Bold lines, stark contrasts, and a sense of raw emotion characterise Bacon’s prints. Through his printmaking, Bacon pushed the boundaries of traditional techniques, often scratching and etching directly onto the plate to create a sense of texture and depth. His prints convey a sense of unease and existential despair, capturing the complexity of the human condition.

Lucian Freud, a master of portraiture, also made significant contributions to printmaking. His prints reveal his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to capture the raw humanity of his subjects. Freud’s prints often feature close-up portraits, revealing the intimate and vulnerable aspects of his models. His printmaking technique involved a combination of etching and drypoint, resulting in richly textured prints with a strong sense of physicality. Freud’s prints are known for their psychological depth, capturing the inner world of his subjects and inviting the viewer to delve into the complexities of human existence.

Together, the graphic works of Bacon and Freud showcase these artists’ diverse and innovative approaches to portraiture, capturing the complexities of the human form and psyche in ways that are raw, visceral, and emotionally charged. Through their experimentation with techniques and exploration of the human form, they have made significant contributions to new representations of figurative art and left an indelible mark on the history of Modern British art.

The exhibition will be complimented by photographic portraits of the Freud and Bacon by Bruce Bernard. He was first introduced to Bacon in 1948 and continued a freindship for over forty years, recalling ’he seemed quite unique to me at twenty, magical, his extraordinary energy and intelligence (which needed no conventional demonstration) allowing him a marvellous overflow of frivolity that came far too interesting a person to be regarded simply as ‘camp’. Lucian, who had known him in London before the end of the war, later described him as being at this time ‘the wisest and wildest’ person he had known’.**__**Bernard first met Lucian Freud in 1942 and ’was impressed by his exotic and somewhat demonic aura’. He didn’t meet him again until the early sixties and the two men forged an intense and lasting friendship.

We invite you to explore this collection and experience the powerful and expressive nature of graphic work through the lenses of these three masterful artists.