Bacon Portraits and Self Portraits [Hardcover]

Milan Kundera (Author), France Borel (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1997

From distorted self-images to brutal portrayals of friends and fellow artists, the portraits of Francis Bacon account for one of the most remarkable aspects of the work of the British painter. This work looks at his stylistic distortions of classicism and his famous deformations. Milan Kundera provides an introduction explaining his personal response to Bacon's work, exploring the paradox that lies in the faithfulness of the distorted images, and linking Bacon's genius with that of Samuel Beckett, both working at the outer limits of their art. France Borel's essay sets Bacon's works in the context of his life and influences and explains his approach to portraiture.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These two books enrich the already substantial Bacon bibliography with different but equally successful approaches. While Peppiatt's biography fleshes out, with lucidity and scholarship, biographical and contextual details heretofore unexplored, Bacon: Portraits and Self-Portraits is a lavishly produced treat with a sharp focus, carefully chosen reproductions, and inspired writing. Peppiatt (editor of Art International) brings both a critical and a personal perspective to his subject, as he was a close friend of the artist. Bacon's haunting images almost beg for psychological exploration; likewise, one is tempted to search for elements of the artist's hidden, exceptional life (and lifestyle) in his work. The new information Peppiatt provides about Bacon's early years enlarges the already complex portrait of the artist, and the interplay of persona and paintings adds up to a compelling and readable study. Bacon: Portraits and Self-Portraits is composed of Bacon's representations of people?ranging from Lucian Freud to Mick Jagger?with many details and photographs that unveil the remarkable likenesses retained in studies that on the surface are gross distortions. Kundera's essay explores links with Picasso and Beckett and is wonderfully perceptive, while Belgian art historian Borel's prose is provocative?albeit a bit ponderous, possibly in part because of the translation. Both titles are highly recommended for 20th-century art collections, although the latter is more of a luxury.?Heidi Martin Winston,
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Hardcover: 215 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500092664
• ISBN-13: 978-0500092668
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,189,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Face Off, June 12, 2001

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Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bacon Portraits and Self Portraits (Hardcover)

Francis Bacon jolted the art world in a way that is only now, some nine years after his death, being fully appreciated. During the final years of his bizarre life he achieved fame and museum acceptance and the accompanying high figure prices for his canvases. And of course soon after his death there was the usual debate about whether he was a painter or a one note song. This beautifully presented volume seems to dispell the latter, as here is documentation of all the head-only portraits Bacon painted of his friends and of himself. His usual "brutal vision" seems less forced when the paintings are accompanied by photogrphs of the models: some of Bacon's friends were fairly distorted before his brush hit the canvas! This book allows the reader to examine a narrow part of Bacon's output and in doing so focuses keenly on his view of the world, his pallete and his technique. Very fine essays by Milan Kundera and France Borel enhance this sensitive tribute to one of the more important 20th Century figurative painters.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wanted this book for years!, October 25, 2011

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Shade "Shaded Shopper" (Hilo, Hawaii USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Bacon Portraits and Self Portraits (Hardcover)

I have wanted this book for years. It's now out of print and has become a collector's item. I thought it was out of my reach to ever own. I found this pristine copy here, missing only the dust cover, otherwise perfect. As a painter myself, it was a book I wanted, to study Bacon's style and composition. I'm so glad I have it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Bacon's portraits, March 10, 2011

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David Iacovazzi - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bacon Portraits and Self Portraits (Hardcover)

If you want great reproductions of Bacon's portraits and self portraits in a nice format (11.8 x 9.6 x 1 inches), that's the one! there's more than 200 plates that covers is life, plus a few folds, and upclose details all in colors and finally two essays (by Milan Kundera and France Borel). Great buy!