Portrait of Peter Beard, 1975/76
Etching and aquatint on Arches paper
Artist Proof, aside from edition of 145, signed
38 x 28 cm
Francis Bacon met US photographer Peter Beard in London at a launch for Beard’s book on the decline of African wildlife in 1965. Bacon was particularly struck by Beard’s aerial photographs of dead elephants, and the two became friends. Bacon made 9 important portraits of him.
In this aquatint, the artist engages with the psychology of Beard, paying particular attention to the depth of his character, and offering a more introspective analysis of the photographer.
