Francis Bacon

A couple of weeks ago, I went to see Francis Bacon at the Tate: this link will show the Tate's introduction to this exhibition, but here is my favourite painting, a study after Velasquez' Portrait of Innocent X.

 

Actually, I didn't care for much of the exhibition.  A lot was angry without being constructive, and some was just revolting.  But it was tremendously powerful, and some of the portraits will haunt me for a long time.  I'd urge you to see it, but don't expect to be entertained or amused - it's much tougher than that.  But it did make me think about the other Francis Bacon, who wrote like an angel.  Here is the sixteenth century master of prose talking about deformity, something which comes naturally to mind while looking at the Tate exhibition, exhibiting both his grace and his wisdom:

DEFORMED persons are commonly even with nature; for as nature hath done ill by them, so do they by nature; being for the most part (as the Scripture saith) void of natural affection; and so they have their revenge of nature. Certainly there is a consent, between the body and the mind; and where nature erreth in the one, she ventureth in the other. But because there is, in man, an election touching the frame of his mind, and a necessity in the frame of his body, the stars of natural inclination are sometimes obscured, by the sun of discipline and virtue. Therefore it is good to consider of deformity, not as a sign, which is more deceivable; but as a cause, which seldom faileth of the effect.

 

Whosoever hath anything fixed in his person, that doth induce contempt, hath also a perpetual spur in himself, to rescue and deliver himself from scorn. Therefore all deformed persons, are extreme bold. First, as in their own defence, as being ex posed to scorn; but in process of time, by a general habit. Also it stirreth in them industry, and especially of this kind, to watch and observe the weak ness of others, that they may have somewhat to repay. Again, in their superiors, it quencheth jealousy towards them, as persons that they think they may, at pleasure, despise: and it layeth their competitors and emulators asleep; as never believing they should be in possibility of advancement, till they see them in possession. So that upon the matter, in a great wit, deformity is an advantage to rising.

Comments

[glo]

I find Francis Bacon's works so scaring but I recognise that it is so sharp and powerful too. I wondered wether I should visit and decided not to go.
The 16th century Francis Bacon has produced very fine drawings too. There has been an exhibition last winter in Edinburgh but sadly Mrs Cornflower didn't report about it.