First Previous 12 OF 47 NextLast

Francis Bacon

12 of 47 portraits of Francis Bacon

© Cecil Beaton Archive / Condé Nast

1 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation

Francis Bacon

by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 1951
8 in. x 7 3/4 in. (204 mm x 196 mm)
Accepted in lieu of tax by H.M. Government and allocated to the Gallery, 1991
Photographs Collection
NPG x40008

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Cecil Beaton (1904-1980), Photographer, designer and writer. Artist or producer associated with 1114 portraits, Sitter associated with 360 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Bacon had first attracted the public's notice in 1945 when his Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion was shown at the Lefevre Gallery in London. Beaton became friendly with Bacon and the group of artists who frequented the bars and restaurants of Soho during the 1950s, including Lucian Freud and Frank Auerbach. After Freud's wedding reception in 1953, Beaton described in his diary how Bacon's body became 'like butter when he is drunk, but his mind more electric and alert'.

Placesback to top

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1951back to top

Current affairs

The Conservative Party wins the general election and Winston Churchill returns for a second term as prime minister.

Art and science

On the centenary of the Great Exhibition of 1851, the Festival of Britain is held as a nationwide celebration of British culture, and as an impetus for post-war regeneration. As well as various art, science and industrial exhibitions and events, a major regeneration project was initiated for the South Bank area of London under the directorship of the architect, Hugh Casson.

International

Libya declares its sovereignty from Italian rule, becoming the first independent state to be created by the UN.
At the Treaty of San Francisco, 48 nations sign a peace treaty with Japan, officially ending the Pacific War - the last battleground of the Second World War.

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.