Watch the Action as Francis Bacon’s Self-Portrait Doubles Its Low Estimate | Sotheby's

Why It Matters

The sale demonstrates soaring demand for iconic British art, setting a benchmark that could lift valuations across the post‑war market and influence collector strategies.

Key Takeaways

• Francis Bacon’s 1972 self‑portrait sold at auction for £13.5 million
• Auction started at £7 million, climbing beyond initial estimate
• Painting originated from 1994 Sotheby’s sale, now from Lewis collection
• Work gifted to doctor Paul Brass during Bacon’s period of grief
• Record price underscores strong demand for post‑war British art

Summary

Sotheby’s London auction featured Francis Bacon’s 1972 self‑portrait, the centerpiece of the Lewis collection, as the star lot. The painting, created during a year marked by intense personal grief, was offered to the market with a low estimate of £7 million.

Bidding opened at the guide price and quickly surged, with successive increments pushing the hammer price to £13.5 million—well above the initial estimate. The work, previously last sold in 1994, entered the auction from the Lewis collection after being gifted by Bacon to his physician, Paul Brass, who supported him through that turbulent period.

Auctioneer remarks repeatedly highlighted the painting’s emotional intensity, noting the competitive bids from collectors such as Lucius and Andre. The final call, “Lucius is yours,” underscored the fervor surrounding the piece, and the applause reflected its iconic status in Bacon’s oeuvre.

The $13.5 million result reinforces the robust appetite for post‑war British masters and signals that provenance‑rich, emotionally resonant works can command premium prices. Collectors and investors may view Bacon’s market as a bellwether for high‑end contemporary art valuations.

Original Description

Francis Bacon’s self-portrait from 1972, a star lot of The London Sales, doubled its low estimate in a white-glove auction to reach £16 million after the final hammer dropped.

This painting is one of the most striking iterations within Francis Bacon’s acclaimed self-portraits. It’s the highlight of Masterpieces from The Lewis Collection, which totalled £35 million in the Modern and Contemporary Evening auction.

Still haven’t subscribed to Sotheby’s on YouTube? ►►https://www.youtube.com/sothebys/