Lucian Freud had been a close friend of Bacon's for many years. This early study is said to have been inspired by a photograph of Franz Kafka. It is one of the first works Bacon executed in Rodrigo Moynihan's studio at the Royal College of Art, where he did most of his painting during the next two years. The following year Freud painted a small portrait of Bacon now in the Tate.
More information
Title of artwork, date
Portrait of Lucian Freud, 1951
Date supported
1980
Medium and material
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
198 x 137 cm
Grant
5000
Total cost
69500
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