Francis Bacon - Study for a portrait of John Edwards

Etude pour un portrait de John Edwards

Original Lithograph in colours,1986 , on Arches paper, with full margins, signed by the artist in pencil

Edition: 180. There were also 30 Hors Commerce proofs and 5 dedicated proofs made. The plate is destroyed.

Literature:  

Francis Bacon: Estampes - collection Alexandre Tacou Number 23

Bruno Sabatier, Francis Bacon: The Graphic Work, no. 22

Note:  Although the subject of this composition was John Edwards, Bacon's great friend for the later years of his life and the inheritor of his estate, it is nonetheless, like all Bacon's work, non specific. Bacon met Edwards whist he was working as a Barman in “The Swan”, one of three Pubs run by his elder brothers. He was asked to provide Champagne for Bacon - who never turned up. Later he met Bacon and abused him for this act of unkindness. As a result they became friends and would often eat breakfast together. The artist did not attend an exhibition of his paintings in Moscow but sent Edwards to represent him. A study of Edwards, painted for this show, was used by the French on their 5 Franc postage stamp. When the artist died in 1992 Edwards was devastated and he inherited Bacon’s house, studio, cash and a number of paintings. When Edwards himself died in Bankok. It is reported that he died as he had lived : laughing and joking.

Published by: Editions de la Difference, Paris, 1986

Printed by: Arts Litho, Paris, 1986

Size:   Paper size: 945 × 679 mms; Image Size: 680 x 490 mms