Francis Bacon is one of the most important and influential artists of the latter part of this century. A fascinating, but very private figure, he was brought up in Ireland and until the war occupied himself with such jobs as butlering and running a gambling club with his ancient nanny. A legendary figure of 50s bohemia and homosexual society, his friendships included Lucian Freud, Sonia Orwell, Bill Burroughs, David Sylvester and Lord Gowrie.