Art has a way of pulling us into the depths of our emotions, and Francis Bacon’s work does this like no other. I recently visited the Francis Bacon Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, and it was an experience that lingers long after leaving the gallery walls.
My hubby James is a great admirer of Francis’s work and I have always slightly found his work ‘Too real’ and would find it difficult to gaze upon for too long. So, after a hounding from James and watching the film ‘Love is the devil’ I finally yielded, well that and the fact he has had to deal with 15 years of Madonna musings, so off to London we went.
From the moment I stepped in, I was surrounded by portraits that felt alive—raw, distorted, and deeply evocative. Bacon’s ability to portray the fragility and complexity of the human condition through bold brushstrokes and unique perspectives was mesmerizing. Every painting seemed to whisper a story, full of emotion, vulnerability, and the chaos that lies within us all.
One of the highlights for me was how Bacon’s work pushed boundaries—not just artistically but emotionally. His use of colour and form challenges the viewer to look beyond the surface and confront what it means to be human.
As I moved through the exhibition, I found myself reflecting on the layers we all carry—our struggles, our identities, and our connections to one another. This is art that doesn’t just ask to be seen; it demands to be felt. Seeing his fingerprint on one of the paintings was a joy to see (I’ll let you discover this for yourself) and seeing the many different layers of his painting was like the old days of reaching for the disco biscuits.
If you’re in London, I highly recommend visiting this exhibition. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just curious, it’s an unforgettable experience that invites you to see the world—and yourself—in a new way.
Hurry it is only on until the 19th January 2025.
Look at some of the moments I captured during my visit below! I tried to capture how the images made me feel and are also my personal favourites, so seeing them with your own eyes is highly recommended.
Photographs by Innes-Mulraine Photography.
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