Alla Malova

The RCA sell its Francis Bacon an email going round

From: linkowiz Category: Art Date: 03 September 2007 Time: 09:22 AM Review: The RCA sells its Bacon to give the students bigger studios. But will probably end paying for a costa coffee shop and some nice research space. "We are writing to let you know that international fine art auction house Christie's is to handle the sale of the Colleges painting 'Study from the Human Body, Man Turning on the Light' by Francis Bacon, in order to raise funds for a major new campus in Battersea. At a full meeting of the Council of the Royal College of Art in June this year, the decision was taken to offer the painting for auction, with all proceeds devoted to the construction of the new site. The sale will take place on 14th October, 2007. Although Francis Bacon never had a personal connection with the College, in that he was neither student nor tutor here, we are grateful for his short tenancy in 1969, the rent from which (in the form of the painting he gave us) will provide countless students with access to modern facilities which will best support and benefit their education and artistic development. The Royal College of Art has a proud history of nurturing artistic excellence, and we continue to invest in developing the artistic talent of this generation and those to follow. For more information on the sale or the Battersea development please contact Aine Duffy, Head of Media Relations on [email protected] or +44 (0)20 7590 4127 **** FURTHER NOTES: Familiar to anyone who has been to the RCA Senior Common Room, the painting was originally given directly to the College by Bacon as rent for the use of a studio in Cromwell Road in 1969. 'Study from the Human Body, Man Turning on the Light' is being sold in order to fund a substantial proportion the construction of a new campus in Battersea which will massively benefit future generations of students at the Royal College of Art. The work is expected to realise 7 to 9 million and all proceeds of the sale will be invested directly into the Battersea project which will accommodate the Schools of Fine Art and Applied Art, providing students with access to modern facilities which will best support and benefit their education and artistic development. The buildings will also providing accommodation for start-up units for new businesses in the fields of art and design. The story behind the Colleges acquisition of the work is rather unusual: in 1969, after a fire had destroyed the studio of Francis Bacon, Sir Robin Darwin offered the artist working space at the College while his own was being repaired. In return for the studio, Bacon offered Study for Bullfight No. 1. In 1975, the artist requested the picture for the Francis Bacon retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum in New York and as a result, the College was offered a replacement, taking receipt of the present work, 'Study from the Human Body, Man Turning on the Light', direct from the artists studio. Such was the popularity of the substitute painting that the College requested that they be allowed to keep it. Bacon replied that he was very pleased with this decision, as he himself much preferred it to The Bullfight. The Royal College of Art is embarking on this major expansion in order to maintain and build upon its position at the forefront of art and design education. The decision to sell the painting was made by the full Council of the Royal College of Art at a meeting in June this year. Christie's London have been chosen to handle the sale, having been market leaders in the Post-War and Contemporary Art category for the past number of years, and moreover having realised seven of the top ten prices for Bacon at auction. Leading the auction of Post-War and Contemporary Art on 14 October 2007, 'Study from the Human Body, Man Turning on the Light' will be the highlight of a series of exhibitions and auctions taking place at the London-based auction house between 10 and 16 October 2007, a week when the international art world will gather in the capital for a showcase of contemporary art exhibitions and events including The Frieze Art Fair. The sale is being announced at a press briefing at Christie's on Monday, September 3rd If you would like to view the work prior to the auction, 'Study from the Human Body, Man Turning on the Light' will be on public view at the following locations: Christie's, New York 8 to 10 September 2007 Christie's Hong Kong 5 to 6 October 2007 Christie's, London 10 to 14 October 2007 "

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