The 1981 Bacon Triptych on the left was inspired by Oresteia of Aeschylus, a trilogy of Greek tragedies which concerns the end of the curse on the House of Atreus (King of Mycenae). The first tragedy is Agamemnon, second is The Libation Bearers where the children of Agamemnon take their revenge. The final is The Eumenides (which also inspired a Triptych by Bacon) where the son of Agamemnon is tourmented by the patricide and matricide he just committed in the second act. This original lithograph is hand signed in pencil by the artist.
The Bacon litho is one of a variety of collector’s treasures from the LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair at Berkeley Square in London from September 19-23 next. The Horati clock (below right) was inspired by a picture by Jacques Louis David painted in 1784 depicting the sacrificial oath taken by three Horati brothers, symbols of ancient Roman valour, before their father holding three swords to stand against the Curati. The base plaque depicts the aftermath of battle where only one of the brothers survives amidst his dying brothers and slain enemies.
LAPADA is the largest UK trade association for professional art and antique dealers. Click on any image to enlarge it. (See post on antiquesandartireland.comfor July 29, 2012).