Leading the Global Market

During his lifetime, Bacon was already regarded

as one of the most important painters of the

20th century by museums and scholars. This

institutional recognition has enabled his market to

grow, making him one of the most expensive artists

in the art world.

In 2013, Three Studies of Lucian Freud (1969),

fetched $142.4 million at a Christie’s sale, the then-

highest price ever paid for an artwork at auction. It

now stands at seventh position.

Today, Bacon’s works are held by major museums

and institutions across the globe, but about 70%

of his oeuvre still remains in private collections,

allowing the market for his work to continue to

develop with abundant supply. Over the last 20

years, 15.6% of Bacon’s works have been offered

at auction.

Detail of SelfPortrait 1969

9

583

paintings are known to exist

today in Bacons production

The Artist