In 1998, The Hugh Lane / Dublin City Gallery secured the donation of Francis Bacon's studio at which time it was meticulously dismantled and moved from London to Dublin*. I went to Dublin recently on a beautiful late winter day to see some exhibitions and rare treasures including: The Book of Kells at Trinity College, a superb Caravaggio and a stunning Vermeer at The National Gallery of Ireland, and a smattering of contemporary exhibitions. But, the highlight was Bacon's reconstructed and preserved studio alongside a trove of treasures including source images, note, drawings and paintings.
Below I am posting some photos of the inside of the studio followed by a few shots of the galleries and lastly a magnificent pairing of a resource image and a small study, which truly shows Bacon's genius.
I'll post more in-progress shots from my studio in Belfast soon.
*If you want to know more about The Hugh Lane and this project click here.
Views of Francis Bacon's Studio at The Hugh Lane Gallery
Installation views of The Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin, Ireland
Studies, Resources and Ephemera from Francis Bacon's collection.