▲ Cecil Beaton (British, 1904-1980) Francis Bacon in his Battersea studio, 1960

gelatin silver print with photographer's stamp verso, 21 x 13.5cm; framed 52 x 42.5cm, Valerie Beston, London; Private Collection; Acquired from the above by a Private Collection, Paris; Sotheby's, Paris, 24 October 2022, lot 6, where acquired by the present owner. Literature: Majid Boustany, 'Francis Bacon MB Art Foundation', Monaco, 2017, p. 18, illustrated in colour. Francis Bacon had close connections with several well-known photographers, including Henri Cartier-Bresson, John Deakin and Cecil Beaton. Bacon and Beaton were introduced through the artist Graham Sutherland and quickly developed a strong friendship. They often spent time together drinking in Soho, particularly at the French House. By this stage, Bacon was already an internationally recognised artist and had begun his long relationship with the Marlborough Gallery. Beaton, famous for his work with magazines such as Vogue and Vanity Fair, as well as his portraits of members of the Royal Family and other famous figures, was fascinated by Bacon’s personality and artistic character. As Martin Harrison states:, 'The social milieu of Bacon and Cecil Beaton coincided at various points in the 1950s. Hence, Beaton photographed Bacon as early as 1951, when he was a guest at Reddish House, Beaton's elegant country home in Wiltshire. In these photographs, Bacon is smartly dressed, while in the series Beaton made in 1960, in the small room that served as Bacon's studio in Overstrand Mansions, Battersea, although Bacon is posing for the camera rather than working, he is more casually attired. Shortly afterwards, Bacon reciprocated by painting Beaton's portrait in the same studio. Beaton, unrealistically expecting to be flattered, was horrified at the way he had been depicted, and conveyed his disappointment to Bacon, whereupon Bacon gleefully destroyed the painting - to Beaton's eventual regret.' (Martin Harrison, in 'Francis Bacon, Study for a Portrait', 2019, p. 8). The social milieu of Bacon and Cecil Beaton coincided at various points in the 1950s. Hence, Beaton photographed Bacon as early as 1951, when he was a guest at Reddish House, Beaton's elegant country home in Wiltshire. In these photographs, Bacon is smartly dressed, while in the series Beaton made in 1960, in the small room that served as Bacon's studio in Overstrand Mansions, Battersea, although Bacon is posing for the camera rather than working, he is more casually attired. Shortly afterwards, Bacon reciprocated by painting Beaton's portrait in the same studio. Beaton, unrealistically expecting to be flattered, was horrified at the way he had been depicted, and conveyed his disappointment to Bacon, whereupon Bacon gleefully destroyed the painting - to Beaton's eventual regret.', Condition Report, Condition Report, The photograph has a matt surface with a little rubbing to the edges.There are a couple of tiny indents to the background to the left of Bacon's right arm. There is a light 1cm scratch to the background in the lower right corner. Presents well overall and ready to hang. Not viewed out of glazed frame. Request A Condition Report, Request A Condition Report

Estimate:£4,000

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