Francis Bacon: Human Presence opened on 10 October, the first exhibition in nearly 20 years to focus on the artist’s portraits. To celebrate, the National Portrait Gallery Shop has created a carefully curated edit of products inspired by Bacon’s life and personal style.
It includes a recommissioned William Blake Life mask by James Deville - that Bacon originally bought from the NPG shop and displayed at his London home - and an exclusive British made lambswool scarf and range of fashion accessories that reflect Bacon’s sensitive and rich use of colour from teal to mustard, flashes of deep green, clay, brick red and ochre.
Lambswool knitted hot water bottle covers made in the UK in Francis Bacon inspired shades of red and green £55 - perfect for the winter nights ahead
London based textile studio, Wallace Sewell worked closely with the NPG buying team to design an exclusive scarf, forensically researching the exact colours from Bacon’s works. It has been produced in lambswool, made in the UK and priced at £65 (below).
Wallace Sewell scarf in exclusive colourways inspired by Francis Bacon at the NPG Shop £65
A favourite piece of Bacon’s from the National Portrait Galley’s Collection was a life mask of William Blake, made by James Deville in 1823. Bacon bought a replica of the life mask from the Gallery’s shop which he kept on a shelf at his home, 7 Reece Mews, in which he lived for 31 years. Whilst the original William Blake life mask is on display in Francis Bacon: Human Presence, the Gallery have commissioned an artisan to produce a replica mask. Priced at £195, the mask comes with a hook and can be hung on the wall or propped.
Francis Bacon's 7 Reece Mews studio, London 1998 (Detail) © The Estate of Francis Bacon. All rights reserved, DACS/Artimage. Photo: Perry Ogden
Francis Bacon, who founded the iconic Colony Room at 41 Dean Street with his muse Muriel Belcher, cut quite a sartorial figure around Soho. The NPG shop is celebrating his style with a collection of from Soho Scarves, including bandanas and pocket squares made from 100% silk and priced at £18, plus an aviator scarf in rich mustard and navy and white polka dots that comes in a gift box, priced at £40.
Toshima Aviator Scarf in Golden Yellow £40 at the NPG Shop
A range of other Bacon inspired fashion items will also be on sale including a rust cord blazer priced at £95 (below), ultra-blue buttoned overshirt priced at £80, a brick red merino wool hat and a range of organic cotton knitted socks, priced at £25, in rich gold and violet.
London based craftsman Kingsley Walters has created a bespoke range of leather wallets, card holders and bags in deep colours priced from £50 and Yorkshire maker, Bronte by Moon has a range of soft Mohair throws in maroon, purple and soft mint priced at £155.
A collection of products have been developed for the exhibition that depict works important to the exhibition, including a Tea Tray with the Portrait of a Man Walking Down the Steps (£35). The collection also features a Tea Towel (£15) with the same image by the artist and another depicting a Self Portrait by Bacon. Other items include prints in various sizes including Three Studies of Muriel Belcher priced at £85, a large tote bag (£25) and sketchbook (£7).
A range of artisan hand thrown mugs have been specially selected from family run company Musango. Handmade in Portugal and in curated colours inspired by Bacon’s artworks, the mugs work as a group, and will be available to buy priced at £22 each (below).
Francis Bacon: Human Presence
10 October 2024 – 19 January 2025
National Portrait Gallery, London
Tickets: £23, with concession from £1