Richard Avedon (American, 1923-2004) Francis Bacon, artist, Paris 4-11-79, 1979 Gelatin silver print on linen 40 x 60 inches (101.6 x 152.4 cm) (image/sheet) Signed and editioned 8/10 in pencil, and with photographer's copyright stamp, verso. LITERATURE: Richard Avedon Portraits, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.p.; Avedon, An Autobiography, pl. 214; Richard Avedon: Evidence 1944-1994, Random House, pp. 56, 161. "I explained the nature of the diptych I wanted to achieve. I'd made a little sketch of what I hoped to do. I asked him to exchange his jacket for my plain, dark sweater. . . Bacon immediately acted the role of the private Bacon with the greatest purity and economy of gesture, and yet it was filled with authentic feeling. Without my saying a word, he understood what my portrait was about, what it called for from him, and he still remained true to himself. No one could act Bacon but Bacon." - Richard Avedon, Portraits, unpaginated HID12401132022 © 2025 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice