“IT'S CALLED GOSSIP AND OF COURSE IT'S AN OBSESSION OF MINE -ANDY WARHOL

Gerard Faggionato, who represents the Bacon estate in Europe and whose exhibition “Francis Bacon’s Women” opens on 8 September, explains, “The Bacon market is not one that has players in the same way as Warhol for the simple reason that there isn’t enough material. If someone owns four Bacon paintings, they are considered a major collector.” Indeed, Bacon was a ruthless editor of his own work. He destroyed paintings throughout his life and, after his death, excavators discovered 98 slashed canvases in his studio. His entire oeuvre consists of only 600 or so paintings. While the market for post-war art may be soaring, prices for Bacon are skyrocketing. Last year, the artist came in third place behind Warhol and Picasso in ArtPrice’s auction turnover rankings whereas, in 2003, he languished in 77th place.

-The Art Newspaper
August 29 2008