Know the Artist: Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon’s (British, b. Ireland, 1909-1992) contorted and distorted figures magnify the trauma and treachery of living. The Irish-born painter treated his subjects with brutality and empathy alike, unearthing a strange beauty derived from the grim and the grotesque
This is Several Circles, where we tell the stories of extraordinary artists from across history and the present day. We believe art history content should be accessible-free of charge and impenetrable jargon, but abundant in fascinating facts, illuminating analyses, and entertaining anecdotes.
Each episode is written and hosted by Rachel, an art journalist-turned-copywriter at The Met, and produced by Jason, a New York City art technician. The fuzzy feline superstars are Jimmy (big and bushy) and Tallulah (small with thumbs).
We started this channel to indulge our fascination with what compels an artist to create the way they do, and we intend to grow it into a vast and celebratory archive of the weird and wonderful eccentrics who constitute the art history continuum.
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#Francis #Bacon
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[@TheArtTourist]

This episode’s Community Spotlight is on New York-based artist, Tim Clancy! Check out his Saatchi Art profile at www.saatchiart.com/timotrio.

[@Photo-Jay]

Wow Tim picking up a brush at 60? There's hope for some of us young'ins yet. Jimmy and Tallulah looking awesome as always. Man, Bacon though, fellow sure did have a tough life, almost quaint by artist standards.

[@AshesOfGravity]

i would run through a brick wall for this woman. great videos

[@jester.1z881]

I’m so happy you covered him. I discovered him a couple years back and it changed my life. His paintings kind of showed me what art was capable of and inspired me to start doing it myself

[@TheArtTourist]

Amazing!! Love that.

[@odieseventeen1077]

I had a similar effect even though I don't paint. I saw a documentary on him called A Brush With Violence and it had a really profound effect on me. His life and art are so twisted and tragic and disturbing and ugly yet so beautiful and mesmerizing

[@ArtReviews]

Not personally a massive fan of Bacon's work, but I can see why a lot of people are as it's quite unique and emotive. The quote about paining self portraits due to having no one else left around him to paint, is nearly as sad as the fact his Dad sent him to Roaring 20s Berlin to try and "straighten him out" is hilarious!

[@vrejtamazian524]

Wonderful Artist, Strong Personality, Magnificent Works.

[@kingmj87]

Some more pop culture references: In the 1989 Batman movie, Jack Nicholson's Joker (who mutilates a lover and calls it a work of art) is defacing an art gallery with his gang, ripping and vandalizing every work they can find... until he suddenly reaches Bacon's 'Figure With Meat,' pausing his henchmen from destroying it because it's the only one he likes. Twenty years later, in The Dark Knight, the smeared and evolving makeup style used on Heath Ledger's interpretation of the Joker was directly inspired by Bacon's portraits, according to director Christopher Nolan.

[@bdhanes]

That's so crazy, just watched 1985 documentary Brutality of Fact documentary on Francis Bacon. Thank you for doing this. Huge fan of your channel! 😺😻😸

[@TheArtTourist]

Awesome! I'll have to check it out. Thanks for watching! 😸

[@oldgrannywheels]

Would you mind if I asked how you found it? I can never find it!

[@CMBBB]

several circles has filled the void that was left by the art assignment, you make great videos, I watch them almost every day. ❤️❤️❤️

[@guest_informant]

Agreed. You might like Smart History too.

[@nissan300zxmike]

WOO NEW UPLOAD! That was a wild ride, so much emotion and conflict; his artwork definitely shakes one's reality.

[@shanecadden7914]

Francis Bacon was the first artist who had an effect on me. The Huge Lane Gallery in Dublin has a replica of his London studio and a collection of his work. I first saw it when I about 15-16, on a school trip, and there was so much that resonated in me. As someone who had feelings of depression and alienation, and as someone who was coming out as gay, there was something in the work that spoke to me. I'm sure there is a better way of describing it, but I think it spoke to an almost dysmorphic sense of myself, as the a homosexual in from a small Catholic village, I was the "Other." At least that was the feeling I had about it. But with Bacon's work there was almost a reassurance about the transient nature of the life and once I could accept that it is I found it strangely easier to be comfortable in my own skin. It's the only one I have and it's only temporary.

[@ians.mozdzen3012]

Evocative summary. Thank you!

[@a.m1169]

These videos always pull me out of an art block absolutely adore bacons work and to revisit is just nostalgically refreshing. Should Talk abt Margaret keane next ❣️

[@TheArtTourist]

Ooh awesome suggestion! We'll add her to the list! :)

[@anthonycifelli666]

Absolutely brilliant!!! No one captured the brutality of the 20th century better than Bacon. Thank you as always...

[@andyrw]

I was waiting for this one and it didn’t disappoint! Bacon is such a fascinating figure, well done. Thank you

[@marco5164]

Always so happy to see a new upload of several circles 🤩

[@winstonlawrence6546]

The portrayal of the artist being as important and equal to the art itself is amazing as always. Thank you for these videos and I can't wait to see your take on Dürer sometime in the future🤞.

[@gabrielecolella4117]

Thanks for this beautiful video, as always you never miss.

[@falkirk625]

One of my favorite artists. Thanks!

[@jayceoverton4121]

Thank you so much for all the work you put into your videos. They are incredibly detailed and a joy to watch. I recommend you to others any chance I get, please keep it up!

[@GINGI9519]

Hooray thank you so much for making this video, greatly enjoyed it ❤️

[@TheArtTourist]

Yay!

[@campbellpaul]

Wonderful presentation (I watched it 3 times)... I thank you both for your dedication to art appreciation!

[@chrisjones2299]

This is my favorite channel for art history - your videos are so well realized and I always discover something new. Great work.

[@TheArtTourist]

So delighted to hear that, thank you!

[@Flux_One]

Really well researched, written and presented. I could listen to you all day ❤

[@sportymum7648]

Thank you, algorithm ! It’s a wonderful channel.

[@JoshAtkinson]

I love this channel and now I need to know everything about the Bacon/Freud "rival[ry]."

[@pinkasarp2250]

Congratulations - an excellent overview crammed full of references. Very well researched and presented - a tricky thing to undertake for a short intro. I thought that I'd not learn anything new but, to be fair, I did not know about the German Shepherd!

[@Henbot]

You forgot to mention The Dark Knight - I am pretty sure I have seen in interviews or behind the scenes stuff that they said the approach to the Joker's makeup was heavily influenced by Francis Bacon work

[@BillyMcBride]

The thing I love about Bacon's art is the difficulty to put into words how it makes me think and feel. It both confronts and conflicts with the eloquence possible in speech, making even experienced readers of art tongue-tied. The paintings shock, and make us feel like we cannot either do much about the suffering or scream with them, but that we are torn between a silence and a disgust at our inability to help immediately. It is like watching the news of a war and wanting to help but cannot. These paintings can help for us to become aware of that sensitivity to others. Also, since speech is the best way to communicate, when so shattered, the worst happens because language is a tool that helps us get what we want, and when that is blocked by the inability to speak, then our needs suffer. I enjoy seeing new art as well as old art which makes things new. I feel renewed by these paintings, and how my mind reacts to seeing them. Thank you, Several Circles for taking me there. Keep up the good work!

[@richardvoisin6039]

Wonderful episode!!! Thank you. Long time fan of Francis Bacon.

[@michaelbenenson]

A flawless summary of a remarkable artist for whom the only way out of hell was through hell, c/o his incredible brushwork. Ta, SC!

[@GrimmsPendulum]

sincere thanks for the wonderful education Im getting from you! Im a member of the Lady Gardner Museum in Boston, and enjoy browsing around and later learning about the Artists from you. Wish I could have an audio or actual tour with you as my guide!

[@craigcarrippon3060]

Please do a video on Norman Rockwell.

[@TheArtTourist]

He's on the list! :)

[@JorgetaHP]

Beacon has inspired the artists behind the design of the game Silent Hill! I would like to see an episode of "Know the Artist" about Gustave Doré!

[@Demention94]

Great video. Bacon will influence artists for generations. I love how he painted the spaces around his figure, like they're confined by their own nature. He definitely captured the violence of being alive in a transformative way. His arts sort of Jungian in that way..

[@ape2831]

my personal favorite great video

[@PoliticalFuturism]

I love your videos. They're so informative and your use of language is beautiful.

[@TheArtTourist]

You are very kind. Thank you!

[@namesurname7172]

Ahhh, one of my favorite artists! Love this video, guys!

[@TheArtTourist]

Yay! Thank you!

[@TheSongOfO]

One of all time favourites! I've rewatched the 'Brush with Violence' documentary at least 5 times haha

[@TheSongOfO]

Also p.s it seems like you guys have yet again stepped up the production quality of these videos. To our fantastic benefit!

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you! We're tryin' :)

[@mabonbran8913]

Hi guys, thanks for another great upload. Rachel, brilliant as ever. Pain in paint, angst in art, chaos in charcoal, emotions in emulsion and always with a side serving of war, persecution and repression. What art would we have today without it I wonder, plain pastoral pictures in pastels?! Lol, loved "London's demi monde" btw.

[@TheArtTourist]

Astounding alliteration!! Thank you very much, so delighted you enjoyed the vid :)

[@alexhinson4138]

Great content as always and hands down most binge-able channel on youtube. I'd love to see you do a vid on Adolf Wolfli.

[@actuallyfrankie]

So excited you are back! But I miss Tallulah and her extra thumbs. 🥺🥺🥺

[@TheArtTourist]

We'll try to get em in the next vid!

[@ChristopherJWalton]

Again, another brilliant film. Thank you. I would love to see you do a film on Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and/or Die Brücke

[@Astijfequn]

I know next to nothing about art, but these videos are fascinating. Your presentation style is really excellent

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you so much!

[@JediHobbit89]

Do Nicholas Roerich next. He's one of my favorite artists and his stuff is really awesome.

[@Stillenacht3D]

One of my favorite artists for the vibe his work gives. Another movie his art informed the aesthetic was Jacob's Ladder.

[@milaces1323]

I've only heard Francis Bacon's name before but knew nothing of his work. As always thank you for educating me! 😊

[@TheArtTourist]

Hope you enjoyed his art!!

[@jamesemert9625]

There is an error in your intro. You should not say "this is Several Circles." You should say "this is Several Circles, and I'm your host Rachael." Excellent channel.

[@stephenthedude4383]

Oh my God! Thank you🙏

[@cobaj6226]

My favorite artist

[@SrSacaninha]

This channel is amazing.

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you!!

[@craigcarrippon3060]

I love all of your videos. Please do one on Lucian Freud

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you! He's definitely on the list :)

[@zigglyDev]

Great video. Btw Do you guys only make video about western artist? or will you go global? Can you some videos on mangakas stories too like kentaro miura. Will love to see his story.

[@joelkulesha8284]

Ha! It happened again, each time I go to look if you guys put something new up the new video gets posted the next day. Such luck! I was even just researching Francis bacon too

[@saivinijhawan3143]

I have a question. Do artists seek out pain in life to inspire art? Not just painting, but I've noticed this trend in performance as well. Or is it the other way round that the deepest scars produce the most striking works?

[@SebastianTinajero]

Love Francis B, I think one on Lucian Freud would be amazing his story is just as riveting!

[@TheArtTourist]

We agree!

[@rpu5410]

thank you

[@user-nm7bv7ok1c]

As an artist also, id like the uniqueness of his creations.

[@MrBetrucci]

Lovely video as always. Do anybody knows the sound track that she uses? I find it extremely relaxing and beautiful.

[@TheArtTourist]

It’s our own original music. Glad you enjoy it!

[@robertsnell9294]

May I suggest that you highlight the work of who was born near where I live.

[@garyjcampbell2058]

Francis was charming when he hadn't been drinking, but when he was drunk he could be obnoxious. I saw him and his boyfriend being kicked out of an art gallery private view because he was drunk and his young boyfriend was picking fights with everyone. Francis like rough trade. There is no doubt he was a master of modern painting.

[@fractalbeef]

The cat in the thumbnail is too adorable 🐈‍⬛

[@themistoklisgian4824]

I don't get any of this arty things just here for this pleasant lady

[@JohnDoe-sz3lz]

I like to think much of the imagery in the Silent Hill video game franchise is inspired by Bacon as well!

[@rumpleforeskin3528]

Hey haven't watched your stuff in a while got all caught up today. Faye Wei Wei is a contemporary painter. From uk. Her work is beautiful. If you can find out information on her to make a video, would be really cool. *confirming I'm not sent by anyone to say this*

[@gs8494]

For myself I can't decide between Bacon and Turner for the greatest British artist to date. I find both of them mesmerising, though completely different, at the moment I think Bacon is, but I'll swing back towards Turner at some point, I just can't decide.

[@TheArtTourist]

That’s a real toss up! 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@cyberalpaca]

Great videos, but there needs to be clear ad clarification. Maybe a small text on corner signifying it is a paid ad space?

[@TheArtTourist]

There’s a large black bar on the bottom of the screen with the sponsor’s name during the ad integration. Is that what you mean?

[@cyberalpaca]

@@TheArtTourist oh! Thank you for pointing out, I seem to need glasses 😂

[@pemathecat]

Please make a video about Terese Nielsen

[@buddy4822]

I watch ever upload! Please do Giacommetti!

[@TheArtTourist]

He's on the list!

[@radiobob1908]

Do you have a Patreon?

[@TheArtTourist]

Not yet but we’re certainly considering it!

[@billnickels6667]

Best.

[@eyesmany1399]

What about his influence on silent hill mind breaking creature and main artist Masahiro Ito?

[@chrisandrew6633]

Did anyone come looking for a Francis Bacon video cause they namedrop him in Crimes of the Future? Just me? (The crazy thing is I coincidentally saved this video yesterday cause I was checking in on this channel and this video looked freaky.) (Btw this absolutely seems like an artist David Cronenberg would like.)

[@ambrose7196]

For a moment there, I was thinking why the guy next to her wasn't taking

[@xstensl8823]

you can see his influence on Ralph Steadman.

[@TheArtTourist]

Oh absolutely!

[@aaronrdomanais]

woah

[@ricimercury9490]

What is the host Ig? I wanna paint her!

[@henry1112]

please do sigmar polke

[@erwinmurry9602]

So it’s an art time share?

[@TheArtTourist]

I guess you could say that!

[@matsalvatore9074]

The story about what he did for the woman who helped raise him... That's what you're supposed to do, people

[@coldray5]

18:02 Death by Snu Snu it is, lol

[@hopeful8975]

This artists works left me wondering if he was maybe a sadistic serial killer...lol

[@TheArtTourist]

🔪 🔪 🔪 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@4D_art]

kinda ironic his last name is Bacon

[@TheArtTourist]

🥩

[@guldenaydin9918]

🌈💝🌈💝

[@TheArtTourist]

✨✨✨

[@big1boston]

If they let me sell my art which andy Warhol likes himself i would appreciate not being Poor thanks.

[@patrickhamos2987]

frist

[@nissan300zxmike]

Second! Seriously, I wish they get more views; their presentation and her articulation + varied tones is so easy to pay attention to. Kudos!

[@patrickhamos2987]

eddie was right but he was bad at remedials xD

[@vincentcooper9139]

Why do so many American women speak with that vocal fry girly voice? It distracts from what's been said.

[@TheArtTourist]

Thanks for the thoughtful comment!Rachel grew up in Manhattan so maybe it’s from the air pollution. 🍳

[@patrickhamos2987]

lol commoditizing art is a stupid and garish idea, and is just another vehicle for speculators to rip people off.