Research Catalog

Francis Bacon : man and beast / exhibition curators, Michael Peppiatt, Anna Testar, Sarah Lee.

Title
Francis Bacon : man and beast / exhibition curators, Michael Peppiatt, Anna Testar, Sarah Lee.
Publication
  • London : Royal Academy of Arts, [2021]
  • New York, NY : ARTBOOK/D.A.P.

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StatusFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
TextUse in library ND497.B16 A4 2021gOff-site

Details

Additional Authors
  • Lee, Sarah,
  • Peppiatt, Michael,
  • Royal Academy of Arts (Great Britain), host institution.
  • Testar, Anna,
Description
157 pages : illustrations (chiefly color), portraits; 29 cm
Summary
An exhibition of Francis Bacon's paintings at the Royal Academy of Arts in 2020 explores the role of animals in his work - not least the human animal. Having often painted dogs and horses, in 1969 Bacon first depicted bullfights. In this series of works, the interaction between man and beast is dangerous and cruel, but also disturbingly intimate. Both are contorted in their anguished struggle and the erotic lurks not far away: "Bullfighting is like boxing," Bacon once said. "A marvellous aperitif to sex." Twenty-two years later, a lone bull was to be the subject of his final painting. In this publication, authors discuss Bacon's approach to animals and identify his varied sources of inspiration, which included surrealist literature and the photographs of Eadweard Muybridge. They contend that, by depicting animals in states of vulnerability, anger and unease, Bacon sought to delve into the human condition.
Alternative Title
Man and beast
Subjects
Genre/Form
Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Note
  • "This catalogue was created in extraordinary times, to accompany and record an exhibition of the same title that had been scheduled to take place in the Main Galleries of the Royal Academy from 30 January until 18 April 2021. However, vital lockdown measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 meant that the Royal Academy had to close its doors during this period. At the time of this book's publication, the exhibition has been postponed until a later date"--Title page verso.
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references (pages 154-155) and index.
Call Number
ND497.B16
ISBN
  • 9781912520558
  • 1912520559
LCCN
40030602006
Owning Institutions
Columbia University Libraries