Francis Bacon

Mark Stevens and Annalyn Swan

Picked as a book to look out for in 2021 by THE GUARDIAN, THE TIMES, THE SUNDAY TIMES, THE FINANCIAL TIMES AND THE OBSERVER

The Times' Art Book of the Year 2021

A WATERSTONES BEST BIOGRAPHY OF 2021

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2021 APOLLO BOOK OF THE YEAR

FINALIST FOR THE PLUTARCH AWARD 2022

'A spectacularly good biography which I adored'
Max Porter, R4 Front Row

'Meticulously researched and compelling'
Guardian

'Must surely be the definitive life of Francis Bacon ... A biography that no Bacon fan - or indeed foe - can afford to overlook ... Presents a mesmerising portrait of a performer commanding the stage of the 20th century'
The Times

'A captivating triumph ... [A] magnificent new life of the artist ... It rings as clearly as a bell ... It's fascinating (and startling)'
Rachel Cooke, Observer

'The definitive biography ... an incomparable resource for art historians, dealers, curators and collectors'
Financial Times

'There are not many biographical masterpieces, but ... Mark Stevens and Annalyn Swan have produced
one ... it is an utterly thrilling read'
Irish Times, John Banville

'A weighty, thorough and compelling biography of the artist that records nine decades of intense moments ... This authorised life brings the carousing, the paintings and the public and private lives together to form a convincing and often touching whole ... Resonant'
Sunday Times

'Compelling ... From his early failures to the untimely death of two of his lovers, the life of the Dublin-born artist is laid bare in this absorbing read ... Stylish and well-researched biography ... A cracking read from start to finish'
Irish Independent

'Authoritative and fascinating ... full of human interest and fascinating detail ... [The] seamlessly written double act is a magnificent, monumental achievement'
Sunday Independent