FRANCIS BACON 2017

TWO FIGURES IN A ROOM

Francis Bacon (1909-1992) is celebrated as one of the greatest iconoclastic modernists of the 20th century and one of the most significant painters ever to have worked in Britain. ‘Two Figures in a Room’, 1959, on loan to the gallery from the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts at the University of East Anglia, is one of Bacon’s finest works in any UK public collection, and is the first ever to go on display at the Barber.

This disquieting image from Bacon’s middle years features two naked figures, usually interpreted as male lovers, and was daring and provocative at the time of its creation, when homosexual acts in private between men were still illegal in the UK. Works by Matisse, Degas and Michelangelo have been suggested as sources for the two figures – and its display among the old master paintings of the permanent collection simultaneously suggests the debt and influence of historic art on modern painters.

Image: Francis Bacon, ‘Two Figures in a Room’, 1959, © The Estate of Francis Bacon, All rights reserved, DACS 2016. Photo: Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Art, University of East Anglia

This is what our visitors have been saying about the painting:

‘Many thanks for the Francis Bacon and Frank Auerbach. Both brilliant pictures. The Bacon was fantastic!!!’- Bailey, Birmingham, 25/02/2017

‘Francis Bacon’s paintings were wonderful to see again’- Emillia Chandos, Mayfair, 11/02/2017

10 February - 26 March 2017

This painting is no longer on display.

Related Events

EVENING LECTURE

Francis Bacon and the Spaces of Queer Intimacy

Monday 27 February, 5.30 – 7.30pm

5.30 – 6pm Refreshments

6 -7pm Lecture

7 – 7.30pm Gallery viewing

Dr Greg Salter, University of Birmingham

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GALLERY TALK

Robert Wenley, Deputy Director

Tuesday 14 February, 1.15pm


LUNCHTIME TOUR

Sexuality, Identity and Ambiguity

Thursday 16 February, 1 – 2pm


WRITING WORKSHOP

Interiors

Saturday 11 February, 1.30 – 4pm


PAINTING WORKSHOP

Bacon’s Humans

Saturdays 25 February, 4 & 11 March, 11 am – 4pm

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BARBER ASSOCIATION EVENING EVENT

Talking Bacon

Tuesday 7 March, 5.30 – 8.15pm

5.30 – 7pm: Screening of BBC documentary Francis Bacon’s Arena

6.45 – 7.30pm: Late gallery viewing and refreshments

7.30 – 8.15pm: Three ten-minute illustrated lectures on aspects of the artist and his work

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