'Emotion is so important in his work': National Portrait Gallery charts a personal path through the career of Francis Bacon

The exhibition “Francis Bacon: Human Presence” is a significant recognition of Bacon's influence as a contemporary figurative artist, showcasing over 50 of his works that explore personal relationships.

Curator Rosie Broadley emphasizes that the exhibition was designed to illustrate Bacon's unique approach to portraiture, particularly his focus on subjects like George Dyer, elevating their personal tragedies into high art.

Bacon radically redefined portraiture, painting subjects posthumously and transforming their life stories into artwork, a unique aspect highlighted in the exhibition dedicated to 'the black triptychs'.

With the inclusion of Isabel Rawsthorne in his portraits, Bacon demonstrates his ability to capture complexity and multiplicity in relationships, making the exhibition a deep insight into his artistic journey.

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