Francis Bacon (1909-1992) Three Studies of Lucian Freud each (unframed): 78 x 58 in. (198 x 147.5 cm.) oil on canvas Painted in 1969 UPDATE: IT MADE $142.4 MILLION
Francis Bacon’s Three Studies of Lucian Freud, which comes up at Christie’s in New York on November 12, is poised to make a new auction record for the Irish born artist. Christie’s say it can break the previous record for Bacon of $86 million set in 2008. The triptych, which unites two of the greatest figurative painters of the 20th century at the height of their friendship, is on view at Christie’s in London from October 13-18 to coincide with Frieze Week. It was exhibited at Bacon’s renowned Grand Palais retrospective in Paris in 1971-72 and has never been on the auction market before. It was executed almost 25 years after Bacon and Freud met.
Francis Outred, head of Post-War and Contemporary Art, Christie’s Europe said: “We are honored to announce the sale of an undeniable icon of twentieth century art. A conversation between two masters of 20th century figurative painting, Francis Bacon’s triptych, ‘Three Studies of Lucian Freud’, executed in 1969 is a true masterpiece that marks Bacon and Freud’s relationship, paying tribute to the creative and emotional kinship between the two artists. The juxtaposition of radiant sunshine yellow contrasting with the brutal physicality and immediacy of the brushstrokes in this celebrated life-size triptych is what makes Bacon’s art so remarkable. ‘Three Studies of Lucian Freud’ stands as one of only two existing full-length triptychs of Lucian Freud. The three panels that make up this work were separated for almost fifteen years in the mid-1970s and were reunited in their entire splendor sometime in the 1980’s.”
UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR $142.4 MILLION TO BECOME THE MOST EXPENSIVE ARTWORK EVER SOLD AT AUCTION.