Martin Gayford

Francis Bacon: king of the self-made myth

He was a renowned fabulist as well as a great painter, and Mark Stevens and Annalyn Swan painstakingly sort fact from fiction in their latest biography

Francis Bacon in his studio in London, 1966, photographed by Mario Dondero. Credit: Bridgeman images

Already a subscriber? Log in

This article is for subscribers only

Subscribe today and get a £30 Amazon gift card if you correctly predict the next US president.

Offer ends in ${days} days ${hours} hrs ${minutes} mins ${seconds} secs
  • The weekly edition delivered, via the Spectator app
  • Unlimited access to spectator.co.uk
  • Spectator newsletters and exclusive events
  • The chance to win a case of Pol Roger Champagne

Comments

Join the debate today

Guess the new US president when you subscribe, and get a £30 Amazon gift card.

Already a subscriber? Log in