In its February issue, Il Giornale dell'Arte confirmed a longstanding rumour in the art world regarding the devastating Los Angeles fires of January 2025. The report suggests that Francis Bacon’s iconic 1969 triptych, Three Studies of Lucian Freud, was lost in the flames that consumed the home of actor Anthony Hopkins. While Hopkins has not confirmed this information, the possibility that one of the most expensive and significant contemporary artworks has been destroyed has caused concern within the art community.
Anthony Hopkins, the celebrated British actor, owned a home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, which suffered extensive damage in the fires. Among the pieces in his art collection was Three Studies of Lucian Freud. However, details regarding when or how Hopkins acquired the triptych remain unclear, and he has yet to comment on its fate. This silence has only deepened the mystery surrounding the painting's ownership and potential loss.
The history of Three Studies of Lucian Freud is marked by its record-breaking sale at a Christie’s auction in November 2013. The triptych fetched an astonishing $142,405,000, making it the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction at the time. The winning bid came from American businesswoman and philanthropist Elaine Wynn, who acquired the masterpiece through private dealer William Acquavella. Since then, the painting’s journey from Wynn's collection to Hopkins' possession has remained a subject of speculation.
See also: Francis Bacon: The Life and Work
Created in 1969, Three Studies of Lucian Freud captures the raw and emotionally charged relationship between Bacon and his close friend and rival, Lucian Freud. The triptych, depicting Freud in three contorted poses, embodies Bacon’s signature style—marked by distortion, movement, and psychological intensity. Its vivid yellow background starkly contrasts with the fragmented nature of the figure, making it one of Bacon's most compelling works.
See also: The 10 Scariest Paintings in Art History
The fate of Three Studies of Lucian Freud remains unclear. As investigations continue, the art world awaits further details regarding its status.
