Francis Bacon (Monographs) [Hardcover]

Wieland Schmied (Author)

Book Description

Series: Monographs | Publication Date: August 1997

Francis Bacon is considered to be one of the most important figure and portrait painters in Britain in the 20th century. This book places all aspects of his output in relation to his life, freely examining in depth the effects of his homosexuality and raunchy living style on his painting. Bacon was born in Dublin in 1909 and moved to London in 1926. He came to prominence in 1945 as a result of his "Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixition" which sent shock waves through the British art world. In the 1950s his paintings displayed more aggression and violence, but his later works became more open and colour-intensive, though they were never without a feeling of despair. Bacon died in 1992

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

About the Author

Wieland Schmied is the author of many books on twentieth-century art. He lives in Munich, Germany. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Prestel Publishing (August 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3791316648
• ISBN-13: 978-3791316642
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #562,938 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Volume, June 12, 2001

By 

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

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I Love Bacon, April 3, 2011

By 

E. G. "Emma" (Missoula) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Francis Bacon: Commitment and Conflict (Paperback)

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.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not what but How, July 26, 2007

By 

Richardm6468 "workingoffthewall" (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Francis Bacon: Commitment and Conflict (Paperback)

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.