A discourse between and about two artists: Alberto Giacometti and Francis Bacon

Abstract

The major problem of this argument is the principal meaning of the notion of discourse with reference to the life, work (which is very important in this case) and mutual relations between two outstanding artists of the 20th century: Alberto Giacometti and Francis Bacon. Discourse on these artists was taken up by the art critics, curators and collectors who organized an exhibition confronting their oeuvre in 2018, and, as I try to demonstrate in this text, by the artists themselves.1 A similar artistic attitude, lifestyle, bond of friendship, rivalry and creative visions formed the relationship between Giacometti and Bacon. They were artists who had a fundamental influence on the shape of contemporary art. The problem of discourse links their work, art and fascination with photography shared by both of them. A special place is given to their adoration of the art of old European masters, similar fates and tastes, the creative research community that existed between them and discourse revolving around their lives. The joint presentation of the works of the two artists, Bacon and Giacometti, within one exhibition, allowed us to see their artistic achievements and fates from the perspective of understanding the meaning of the notion of discourse. An exhibition of their works took place in 2018 at the Beyeler/Basel Foundation in collaboration with the Giacometti Foundation in Paris. The show became a substantive visual indication of a particular discourse between and about the lives and works of Giacometti and Bacon.