Bacon and the Mind

Bacon and the Mind sheds light on Francis Bacons art by exploring his motivations, and in so doing opens up new ways of understanding his paintings through three pillars; art, neuroscience and psychology. This beautiful book is comprised of five essays, illustrated in colour throughout by Francis Bacons works. It is the first in a brand new series of books, Francis Bacon Studies, that seeks to illuminate Francis Bacons art and motivations. The first essay, by Christopher Bucklow, argues compellingly that Bacon does not depict the reality of his subjects, but rather their reality for him in his memory, in his sensibility, and in his private world of sensations and ideas. Steven Jarons essay questions the psychological implications of Bacons habitual language, his obsession with the wound, with vulnerability and the nervous system. Jarons deconstruction of Bacons visual imagination results in revealing insights into the man and his work. Darian Leaders long-time fascination with Bacons paintings predates his powerful BBC documentary, In the Name of the Father? (1996). His contribution to this book, presents the latest of his fresh and stimulating insights into the artist. The focus in John Onianss contribution explores the effect of Bacons non-conscious mental processes in the creation of his paintings. The Visual Shock of Francis Bacon: An essay in Neuroaesthetics is a newly edited and now fully illustrated re-presentation of an article by Semir Zeki and Tomohiro Ishizu, previously accessible only online. Martin Harrison, Editor of Francis Bacon: Catalogue Raisonn, edits the book and contributes the Preface and Afterword. The Estate of Francis Bacon Publishing, supported by Francis Bacon MB Art Foundation Monaco, in association with Thames & Hudson.