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Lot Essay
The present stool is a scarce surviving element of a suite of Modernist furniture that Francis Bacon designed and exhibited in 1930, his brief activities as an interior decorator having since been overshadowed by his profile as an artist.
In August 1930 The Studio Magazine -- Britain's leading forum for progressive architecture and design -- published an article entitled 'The 1930 Look in British Decoration', which featured a small group of furnishings, including a dressing table with large circular mirror, and companion stool corresponding to the present example. Despite favourable reviews, it would appear that none of the furnishings were developed beyond the initial examples, and by 1933 Bacon had abandoned decoration altogether in favour of painting.
The present lot was purchased directly from Bacon in late 1930 by the celebrated Modernist composer Christian Darnton and his artist wife, Joan, and has remained with the family since.
In August 1930 The Studio Magazine -- Britain's leading forum for progressive architecture and design -- published an article entitled 'The 1930 Look in British Decoration', which featured a small group of furnishings, including a dressing table with large circular mirror, and companion stool corresponding to the present example. Despite favourable reviews, it would appear that none of the furnishings were developed beyond the initial examples, and by 1933 Bacon had abandoned decoration altogether in favour of painting.
The present lot was purchased directly from Bacon in late 1930 by the celebrated Modernist composer Christian Darnton and his artist wife, Joan, and has remained with the family since.