The Francis Bacon MB Art Foundation takes part in the exhibition ‘Francis Bacon: Human Presence’, at the Fondation Pierre Gianadda

The Francis Bacon MB Art Foundation has lent for this exhibition presented until 8 June 2025 at the Fondation Pierre Gianadda, in Martigny, Switzerland, a series of rare photographs of Francis Bacon including two unique portraits of the British painter, taken by Helmar Lerski and Francis Julian Gutmann.

Featuring around 30 paintings by Bacon, as well as various photographs of the artist, this exhibition will explore Francis Bacon’s deep connection to portraiture and how he challenged traditional definitions of the genre. From the mid-1950s, Bacon starts painting from life (sitters) and makes portraits of his patrons or his friends, like the artist Lucian Freud. He admires Rembrandt and is notably inspired by his Autoportrait au Béret (1659), that is lent for this occasion by the Musée Granet, in Aix-en-Provence.

The hang is thematically and chronologicaly presented and includes five sections: ‘The Portrait Emerges’, ‘Beyond Appearance’, ‘Paintings from the Masters’, ‘Self-Portraits’ and ‘Friends & Lovers’.

More information on the Fondation Pierre Gianadda website (https://www.gianadda.ch/)