On 24 May, Bacon has his first retrospective exhibition at the Tate Gallery which comprises ninety-two paintings. For this show, the artist paints a series of works including Three Studies for a Crucifixion (1962). The Times’ art critic heralds Bacon’s show as “the most stunning exhibition by a living British painter there has been since the war”.

On the opening day of the show Bacon receives a telegram informing him of the death, the previous day, of his companion Peter Lacy, in Tangier. Lacy is to remain the one great love in Bacon’s life.