Irish artist Louis Le Brocquy (1916-2012) was renowned for his distinctive
approach to portraiture, capturing the essence of his subjects through a blend
of abstraction and realism. In his Image of Francis Bacon (16), Le
Brocquy delves deep into the psyche of the iconic British painter known for his
raw and unsettling images.

LeBrocuy dedicated a series of images, created over twenty years to the British
painter Francis Bacon (1901-1992). Both artists held a deep mutual respect for
each other’s work, and Bacon was initially pleased to be a subject of Le
Brocquy’s portraits. However, this enthusiasm turned to apprehension upon
seeing the finished pieces. As recounted by Anne Madden, Bacon ‘fell silent in
Le Brocquy’s presence as he contemplated his distorted appearance on canvas’.
This reaction may have stemmed from a sense of exposure and vulnerability.

This portrait is not a conventional likeness but an evocative representation
of Bacon’s inner world. Le Brocquy employs a muted palette of ghostly whites
and subtle greys to create a spectral visage that appears to emerge from the sheet.
The fragmented and fluid features suggest the turmoil and complexity that
defined Bacon’s life and work. Jeremy Madden, Le Brocquy’s younger
brother-in-law, described the paintings as being ‘conceived in stillness, in an
inner space, unfamiliar with feelings of violence. His portraits appear to
inhabit a continuous present and celebrate the enduring spirit of man’.

The portrait serves as both an homage and a psychological study, providing
profound insight into the character of one of the 20th century’s most
provocative artists.

Le Brocquy’s series of portraits of leading figures such as Samuel Beckett,
James Joyce and W. B. Yeats are immediately recognisable and represent the core
theme running through Le Brocquy’s illustrious career.

Galerie Jeanne Bucher, Paris
Private Collection, Paris

Paris, Galerie Jeanne Bucher, Monographic Exhibition – Louis le Brocquy, 27 November – 27 December 1979