Francis BACON refuses to be classified among the expressionists.

Francis BACON (1909.1992)

Autograph letter signed to Mrs Brinson.

In the Department of Fine Arts at Presbyterian College in Clinton, USA.

Two pages in-4°. Autograph envelope with postal marks.

7 Reece Mews. London. ^January 1 [19] 73 .

« I do not think my painting is expressionist and I do not like expressionism. »

Important letter from the British painter refusing to see his art classified among the expressionist movement that he despises and explaining his creative approach consisting of the practice of instinct and chance.

________________________________________________________

“Dear Mrs Brinson, thank you for your very kind letter. There is one other thing I would like to say, I do not think my painting is expressionist and I do not like expressionism . In my own care what interests me is the way appearance can be remade as far from illustration as possible not to express only to find through instinct and chance how the appearance can be retrapped.

That is why I believe now that portrait painting is one of the most exciting aspects as is it almost impossible to do. By the way I don't mean blown up photographs or screen prints. With all my best wishes. Yours very sincerely. Francis Bacon .”

________________________________________________________

 Translation :

“Dear Mrs. Brinson, thank you for your very kind letter. There is another thing I would like to say: I don't think my painting is expressionist and I don't like expressionism . As far as I am concerned, what interests me is the way in which appearance can be recreated as far as possible from the illustration, not to express, but to discover, by instinct and by chance, how this appearance can be recaptured . This is why I now believe that portrait painting is one of the most exciting aspects because it is almost impossible to do. Furthermore, I am not talking about enlarged photographs or screen prints. With all my best wishes. Very sincerely. Francis Bacon. »