This book explores the deep connection of Francis Bacon with portraiture and how he challenged traditional definitions of the genre. From his reactions to portraits of earlier artists to large-scale works commemorating lost loved ones, pieces from private and public collections reveal the story of Bacon's life. In addition to the artist's self-portraits, the contributions also include those of Lucian Freud, Isabel Royal, and his lovers Peter Lacy and George Dyer.

This is the first edition in over 20 years dedicated to Francis Bacon's portraits. From his famous triptychs and paintings of ambiguous figures to tender and psychologically revealing individual portraits, the illustrated works presented in this volume document the evolution of a pioneering artist, highlighting the influence of his contemporaries and other artists.

Edited and with introductory texts by Rosie Broadley, curator of the National Portrait Gallery, Francis Bacon: Human Presence also includes biographies and photographs of Bacon and his circle, shedding light on lesser-told stories. A series of short essays by a range of contemporary thinkers and experts on Bacon explore the artist's individuality through different lenses, offering fresh perspectives on the artist, his portraits, and his world.

Pages: 224, Dimensions: 23x23cm