Customer Reviews

Francis Bacon: Commitment and Conflict

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Of all the books in print about the works of Francis Bacon, so many of them can be browsed without paying much attention to the commentary. Not here. This volume is extravagantly illustrated with many lesser known paintings by Francis Bacon, but it doesn't stop there. There is a very fine chronological timeline with photographs which show us the progression of the artist, his friends, lovers, influencing photographs, and interactions with other artists of his day. There is also a complete Exibition Schedule which holds some fascinating bits of information even to the avid Bacon fan. There are many photographs of Bacon's infamous studio in all its squallid splendor - some with the artist, some after his death. For sheer joy in getting to know a troubled genius, this book should be high on the list of recommended texts.

I consulted this book a few times while writing an annotated bibliography about F. B. for my art history degree - it was a clear and concise summary about his work with knowledgable references to other great books written about Mr. Bacon. I might not recommend this being the first book you go to if you are interested in knowing more about Francis Bacon's work - it is a better reflection of his later years rather than about his early career.

This is a fine book, content is five stars. My problem is with the pt. size of the text. I would say the type in this book is 1/3 the size of most books. If you use glasses or have trouble reading small type this is not a book you will be able to read on the subway. Photos, reproductions, information and price are very good. Have fun reading it, just know that if the lay out was different the text could have been larger.

This is a very good book. The analysis of Bacon by Schmied is commendably straightforward and insightful, and he gives enough examples of the artists excessive appetites for booze and debauchery to keep your interest bubbling along. All Bacon's significant works are referenced and the accompanying prints are of a good standard. Also the binding is fairly solid for a softback, and should last well.

The type was so small it was almost unreadable. It's as if the book was a small, cheap version of a large art book.