ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Francis Bacon Portrait Exhibition Opens at Fondation Pierre Gianadda

exhibition · 2026-04-26

The Fondation Pierre Gianadda located in Martigny, Switzerland, is showcasing 'Francis Bacon: Presenza umana', an exhibition focused on portraiture and Bacon's reinterpretations of classic masters, curated by Rosie Broadley. This exhibition will run from February 14 to June 8, 2025, and includes thirty artworks from various collections, divided into sections: 'Beyond Form', 'Paintings Inspired by the Masters', 'Self-Portraits', and 'Friends and Lovers'. It begins with paintings from the late 1940s and wraps up with an incomplete piece created shortly before Bacon's passing. Notable works include 'Head VI', 'Study of the Human Head', and 'Rembrandt with Beret'. Broadley highlights the profound nature of portraiture in Bacon's art, noting his transition from depicting screaming figures to more ambiguous representations.

Key facts

  • Exhibition 'Francis Bacon: Presenza umana' at Fondation Pierre Gianadda, Martigny, Switzerland
  • Curated by Rosie Broadley, head of 20th-century collections at the National Portrait Gallery, London
  • Runs from February 14 to June 8, 2025
  • Thirty works from European and American public and private collections
  • Thematic sections: Beyond Form, Paintings Inspired by the Masters, Self-Portraits, Friends and Lovers
  • Highlights include Head VI, Study of the Human Head, Rembrandt with Beret (loan from Musée Granet, Aix-en-Provence)
  • Includes portraits of patrons Robert and Lisa Sainsbury and artist Lucian Freud
  • Concludes with an unfinished painting found on Bacon's easel before his death

Entities

Artists

  • Francis Bacon
  • Lucian Freud
  • Rembrandt van Rijn

Institutions

  • Fondation Pierre Gianadda
  • National Portrait Gallery, London
  • Musée Granet

Locations

  • Martigny
  • Switzerland
  • Aix-en-Provence
  • France

Sources