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£5.4m for Freud painting of Bacon | £5.4m for Freud painting of Bacon |
(about 8 hours later) | |
A rare portrait of the artist Francis Bacon, painted by his contemporary Lucien Freud, has been sold at auction at Christie's in London for £5.4m. | A rare portrait of the artist Francis Bacon, painted by his contemporary Lucien Freud, has been sold at auction at Christie's in London for £5.4m. |
The unfinished picture, which was expected to fetch between £4m and £7m, sprang from the friendship between two of the 20th Century's greatest talents. | The unfinished picture, which was expected to fetch between £4m and £7m, sprang from the friendship between two of the 20th Century's greatest talents. |
Bacon died in 1992, but Freud is still working at the age of 85. | Bacon died in 1992, but Freud is still working at the age of 85. |
The only completed painting of Bacon by Freud was stolen from a gallery in Berlin in 1988 and never recovered. | The only completed painting of Bacon by Freud was stolen from a gallery in Berlin in 1988 and never recovered. |
Although the painting fell far short of its upper estimate, art expert Charles Dupplin from specialist insurer Hiscox said the sale was not a disappointment. | |
"It could be viewed as a failure but I can't take that view," he told the BBC. | |
"It is still one of the most expensive Freuds ever sold and, being unfinished, its value is difficult to assess. And it's a very difficult time in the wider world," he added. | |
"It's a very important piece as it shows the interaction between two greats. It demonstrates how they knew each other and their artistic interaction." | |
According to the Reuters news agency, while sitting for the unfinished 1956/7 portrait Bacon left abruptly to pursue his lover Peter Lacy in Tangiers, Morocco. | According to the Reuters news agency, while sitting for the unfinished 1956/7 portrait Bacon left abruptly to pursue his lover Peter Lacy in Tangiers, Morocco. |
'Fascinating snapshot' | 'Fascinating snapshot' |
The BBC's Lawrence Pollard said Bacon was already regarded as a master painter before his death and most critics would rank him as one of the most important artists of the late 20th Century. | The BBC's Lawrence Pollard said Bacon was already regarded as a master painter before his death and most critics would rank him as one of the most important artists of the late 20th Century. |
Those same critics would also agree that Freud is the pre-eminent living painter of our age, our correspondent added. | Those same critics would also agree that Freud is the pre-eminent living painter of our age, our correspondent added. |
Christie's spokesman Matthew Patton said: "We are pleased with the price the painting was sold for, which fell within the estimate." | |
"Freud and Bacon were two giants of the post-war art in Britain and internationally. The painting is wonderful as it gives a fascinating snapshot of their relationship at the time." | |
The two men met shortly after the Second World War and were both figurative painters. | The two men met shortly after the Second World War and were both figurative painters. |
The auction was held at a Post War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale on Sunday. | The auction was held at a Post War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale on Sunday. |