Francis Bacon "Three Studies of Lucien Freud"

Last November, Francis Bacon's triptych "Three Studies of Lucien Freud," became the most expensive painting to sell at auction, ever. The painting was purchased anonymously and about a month after the sale, the Portland Art Museum made the surprising announcement that it would have the work on view through March 30th.  Ian and I had been meaning to go see it for weeks and finally got around to it while Ian's mom was in town. Close friends, Lucien Freud and Francis Bacon are among the preeminent painters of the 20th century. "Three Studies of Lucien Freud," is typical of Bacon's work: a lone, emotionally charged, figure set on a flat and abstracted background. The figure is rendered almost grotesque with expressive brushwork and palette. It is a work that hits you immediately with its intensity, but takes a while to sink in (I'm still trying to process it). I recommend a thoughtful piece written by the museum's director of education and public programs about how to engage with "Three Studies of Lucien Freud" and other masterpieces.