10/6/04

Bacon's female lover, back on the market

Isabel Rawsthorne, the subject of famous portraits by Francis Bacon, died in 1992. She had met Bacon in her late forties, having earlier been painted by Picasso while living with André Derain in Paris. Bacon was fascinated by her, and became her lover. Now Bacon's 'Three Studies of Isabel Rawsthorne' - estimated to fetch £1.5 million to £2 million in the sale planned by Christie’s for 24 June 2004 - is up for grabs. The price could be very much higher.