Three Studies of Lucien Freud, 1969
Francis Bacon

Someone did!  A member of the royal family of Qatar, Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani, dubbed the most powerful woman in art, reportedly bought Three Studies of Lucian Freud.

The painting sold for $142 million dollars.

Artist Francis Bacon was born in Ireland but lived his life in England. He had a dreadful childhood at the hands of a cruel father. He lived through the grisly carnage of WWI and WWII and seems to have been driven mad by the temptations and horrors of the 20th century.

No wonder his brush creates horrific wounds and knotted masses of flesh. No wonder he paints distorted human figures, grappling couples, screaming popes, and hysterical businessmen in suits. They leer at us from the canvas, seeming to say, “Look what human kind has done to itself.”

Last Tango in Paris, 1964
Francis Bacon

But hold on…Bacon paints as if he were an old master from 400 years ago. His paintings drip with opulent color and a velvet magnificence. The pain and brutality that punches through them heightens their strange beauty.

The question remains:  Is that strange beauty enough for you to buy this painting?

Visit Francis Bacon’s studio, unbelievable! Click here to view the video.

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