Francis Bacon 　Portrait of John Edwards

Technique Lithograph on Arches paper (with watermark) Year of Production 1986 Limited Edition Limited edition of 150 Artist's Proof (A.P.) of 5 Hors Commerce (H.C.) of 30 Signature Hand-signed in pencil by the artist Edition E.A. (Épreuve d'Artiste / Artist's Proof) This is one of the rare Artist's Proofs, of which only 5 were produced. Printed by Galerie Lelong (Paris) Published by L'Ire des Vents Paper Size 81.0 × 60.0 cm Framed Size 94.5 × 78.0 cm Included in Catalogue Raisonné Bruno Sabatier: No. 20 Alexandre Tacou: No. 20 Condition Excellent preservation with vibrant, deep colors and complete margins. About the Artwork "Portrait of John Edwards" is a representative late-period print by Francis Bacon, created in 1986. The model, John Edwards, was Bacon's most trusted friend in his later years and served as the subject for many portraits from the 1980s onward. After the death of George Dyer, Edwards became Bacon's emotional support and is known as a crucial figure who sustained the artist's final creative endeavors. Bacon prioritized expressing a person's presence and inner spirituality rather than depicting them realistically. In this work, the face and body are depicted with a unique distortion, which is not meant to exaggerate reality but to more powerfully convey human emotion and vital energy. The canvas employs Bacon's characteristic bold colors and tense composition. While seemingly intense, a tranquil atmosphere pervades the whole, highlighting the figure's solitude and quiet presence. Viewers feel a profound impression, as if they are confronting the spiritual world of an individual rather than merely looking at a portrait. This work was printed on high-quality Arches paper and produced with the cooperation of Galerie Lelong (Paris), known for its leading print publishing in France. Bacon's prints are limited in number, and this work is one of the most highly regarded among them. Furthermore, this work is an Artist's Proof (Épreuve d'Artiste: E.A.), produced separately from the regular edition of 150, making it an extremely rare edition with only 5 existing copies. Artist's Proofs are special works printed before the main edition and are highly valued by collectors worldwide due to their rarity. Francis Bacon, a master representing 20th-century art, is consistently highly acclaimed in museum collections and the international auction market. "Portrait of John Edwards" is a portrait that encapsulates Bacon's mature expression and deep insight into human existence in his later years, making it an important lithograph combining artistic merit, rarity, and collectibility. Depicting John Edwards, his last significant model, this work is indispensable for understanding Bacon's art and possesses a value suitable for long-term collection as a representative portrait print of 20th-century modern art.