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  • ART BY FRANCIS BACON AND TONY O’MALLEY REUNITED ON SAME CANVAS AT CHRISTIE’S

    The O'Malley paintings with Bacon on the back.

    The O’Malley paintings with Bacon on the back.

    A lost unfinished nude by Francis Bacon on the back of two early paintings by Tony O’Malley surfaces at The Modern British & Irish Art sale at Christie’s South Kensington on March 17.  Bacon started Figure when working in St Ives, Cornwall in the late 1950’s, but when the artist cut short his visit following an argument with his partner he abandoned the work, among many others. It was divided into two by Tony O’Malley who worked and lived at St. Ives for many years. He went on to paint two scenes on the opposite sides: Currach, Clare Island and Evening Landscape Tehidy Hospital.  

    The works were separated in different collections – the O’Malley family and the Fallon family – for many years.  They have now been reunited and will be offered with an estimate of £20,000-30,000.  Given the amount of interest generated this could be conservative.

    UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £434,000

    Here is a video about the reunited Bacon:

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