I suspect that Bacon didn't clean up his studio because he was out getting drunk most of the time
He was known to drink in many places in London, including:
Soho: Bacon was a regular at many Soho pubs and clubs, including The Gargoyle Club, The French House, and Charlie Chester's Casino. He also spent time at the Colony Room, a small, shabby space owned by Muriel Belcher that was a popular spot for afternoon drinking after pubs closed.
The Golden Lion: A favorite haunt of Bacon's on Dean Street.
The French pub: A gathering place for artists and intellectuals run by Gaston Berlemont.
Wheeler's: Bacon's favorite seafood restaurant on Old Compton Street.
The Ritz: A grand hotel where Bacon would drink champagne.
The Iron Lung: A basement where misfits and conmen would gather to drink.
Arab dens: Tough-looking men would sometimes sense Bacon's appetite for violence.
The thing is Cecil that apparently Francis Bacon kept his kitchen, which was just next to his studio, in precise order and absolutely spotless. Granted, he probably never cooked there but he and/or his visitors must have had cups of tea, snacks etc., during the day. Unless I’m being completely naive!!😄
But I visited his studio in Dublin’s Hugh Lane Gallery last year and quotations from him suggest he only liked his studio to be messy:
"I can only paint here in my studio. I've had plenty of others, but I've been here for nearly thirty years now and it suits me very well. I cannot work in places that are too tidy. It's much easier for me to paint in a place like this which is a mess. I don't know why but it helps me."
"I feel at home here in this chaos because chaos suggests images to me. And in any case I just love living in chaos. If I did have to leave and I went into a new room, in a week's time the thing would be in chaos. I do like things to be clean, I don't want the plates and things to be filthy dirty, but I like a chaotic atmosphere.”
Excellent essay. Love the part where you wrote: "Your life, in its entirety, is your art. The way you approach each day, the choices you make, and the effort you put into your craft—these are all part of your artistic process." Immediately I thought of seeing film about Dali walking down the street with some exotic animal or how he looked. I also giggled a bit about being organized which I know is crucial but then recently on youtube I watched a video about "The Messiest Artist Ever" which was Francis Bacon and how his hoardable 'mess' helped him to be the magnificent artist he was and I didn't feel too bad about my mess even though it's no where near Bacon's. I know where everything is and I call my mess 'an organized chaos' so whatever works for anyone as an artist is good.
Excellent writing; clear and considered.
Lovely and timely
Thank you Janet.
I suspect that Bacon didn't clean up his studio because he was out getting drunk most of the time
He was known to drink in many places in London, including:
Soho: Bacon was a regular at many Soho pubs and clubs, including The Gargoyle Club, The French House, and Charlie Chester's Casino. He also spent time at the Colony Room, a small, shabby space owned by Muriel Belcher that was a popular spot for afternoon drinking after pubs closed.
The Golden Lion: A favorite haunt of Bacon's on Dean Street.
The French pub: A gathering place for artists and intellectuals run by Gaston Berlemont.
Wheeler's: Bacon's favorite seafood restaurant on Old Compton Street.
The Ritz: A grand hotel where Bacon would drink champagne.
The Iron Lung: A basement where misfits and conmen would gather to drink.
Arab dens: Tough-looking men would sometimes sense Bacon's appetite for violence.
The thing is Cecil that apparently Francis Bacon kept his kitchen, which was just next to his studio, in precise order and absolutely spotless. Granted, he probably never cooked there but he and/or his visitors must have had cups of tea, snacks etc., during the day. Unless I’m being completely naive!!😄
But I visited his studio in Dublin’s Hugh Lane Gallery last year and quotations from him suggest he only liked his studio to be messy:
"I can only paint here in my studio. I've had plenty of others, but I've been here for nearly thirty years now and it suits me very well. I cannot work in places that are too tidy. It's much easier for me to paint in a place like this which is a mess. I don't know why but it helps me."
"I feel at home here in this chaos because chaos suggests images to me. And in any case I just love living in chaos. If I did have to leave and I went into a new room, in a week's time the thing would be in chaos. I do like things to be clean, I don't want the plates and things to be filthy dirty, but I like a chaotic atmosphere.”
Excellent essay. Love the part where you wrote: "Your life, in its entirety, is your art. The way you approach each day, the choices you make, and the effort you put into your craft—these are all part of your artistic process." Immediately I thought of seeing film about Dali walking down the street with some exotic animal or how he looked. I also giggled a bit about being organized which I know is crucial but then recently on youtube I watched a video about "The Messiest Artist Ever" which was Francis Bacon and how his hoardable 'mess' helped him to be the magnificent artist he was and I didn't feel too bad about my mess even though it's no where near Bacon's. I know where everything is and I call my mess 'an organized chaos' so whatever works for anyone as an artist is good.
Wonderful advice as I begin the week. Thanks Cecil!
Thank you for this today, Cecil! It really resonates.