An exhibition of Francis Bacon's paintings at the Royal Academy of Arts in 2020 explores the role of animals in his work - not least the human animal. Having often painted dogs and horses, in 1969 Bacon first depicted bullfights. In this series of works, the interaction between man and beast is dangerous and cruel, but also disturbingly intimate. Both are contorted in their anguished struggle and the erotic lurks not far away : "Bullfighting is like boxing," Bacon once said. "A marvellous aperitif to sex." Twenty-two years later, a lone bull was to be the subject of his final painting. In this publication, authors discuss Bacon's approach to animals and identify his varied sources of inspiration, which included surrealist literature and the photographs of Eadweard Muybridge. They contend that, by depicting animals in states of vulnerability, anger and unease, Bacon sought to delve into the human condition.

"Long considered one of the most important painters of the twentieth century, Francis Bacon (1909-1992) was fascinated by animals and studied them throughout his life, building a vast collection of wildlife books and photographs. By observing animal behaviour, he explored the idea of the true nature of humanity, reminding us that we are not as far removed from the animal kingdom as we might like to believe. In this handsome book, which looks at this intriguing aspect of Bacon's work, expert authors discuss the artist's approach to animals and identify his varied sources of inspiration, among them the work of wildlife photographers and the motion studies of Eadweard Muybridge."--taken from back cover.