Must-see exhibitions: 20th century greats Francis Bacon and Tom Wesselmann feature at London’s National Portrait Gallery and Paris’ Fondation Louis Vuitton from October

Oct 9 , 2024

Twentieth century greats Francis Bacon and Tom Wesselmann feature in a pair of must-see exhibitions starting in October at London’s National Portrait Gallery and Paris’ Fondation Louis Vuitton. Photos: Handout

Bacon’s show focuses on his portraits and includes photos of the artist by the likes of Cecil Beaton, while 150 of Wesselmann’s works appear alongside others by Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol

Planning a winter trip to Europe? Then make sure to leave time to get to one or both of these blockbuster exhibitions featuring some of the 20th century’s most exciting artists.

Francis Bacon: Human Presence

Francis Bacon, Three Studies for Portrait of Isabel Rawsthorne, 1965

Known for his paintings that often transform his subjects into otherworldly creatures, Francis Bacon is one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

“Francis Bacon: Human Presence” at London’s National Portrait Gallery, which opens on October 10 and runs until January 19, is the first exhibition in 20 years to focus on his portraits. More than 50 of his paintings, including some of his self-portraits, will be on show as well as photos of Bacon taken by legendary photographers such as Cecil Beaton.

Francis Bacon, Portrait of a Man Walking Down Steps, 1972

Pop Forever, Tom Wesselmann & …

American pop art legend Tom Wesselmann is the subject of a retrospective at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, the Paris museum marking its 10th anniversary this year.