Frances Bacon

I first learned about this artist when I took an art history class in France. I couldn't believe I had never heard of him and Iam really intrigued by the way he distorts the human form. I find it really fascinating.

Just a little bit of basic research about him:

He was born in Dublin and is Irish/British. He seemed to have a bit of a tumultuous upbringing. His family had pretty noble roots, however he was a bit of a black sheep it seems. He had a shaky relationship with his father. His father caught him wearing his mother's underwear and was no doubt very disappointed to see Bacon show up to a family dinner party dressed in drag (a flapper girl at that).

He sort of wandered around being a gentleman's companion and getting to know people of the art world in Berlin, Paris, and London.

His artistic yearnings were aroused by a Paris show of about 100 of Picassos drawings.

He is described as a magnetic personality whose "wit and generosity" could "light up the day" and he could "just as equally plunge into gloom".

His work seems to represent Bacon's ideas on life's being ridiculous or a charade. He was interested in crucifixion where the are a group of people helplessly watching human agony and pain. He was also inspired by the idea of the open mouth, agonizing scream.