Francis Bacon was a British painter born in Dublin, Ireland in 1909. He is known for his figurative paintings that often depict distorted and grotesque human forms. Bacon's work was heavily influenced by the violence and trauma of his own life, including his experiences during World War II and his tumultuous personal relationships. Bacon's early career was marked by a series of unsuccessful exhibitions, but he gained critical acclaim in the 1950s and 60s with his series of screaming popes and portraits. He continued to produce work until his death in 1992, and his legacy has had a lasting impact on the art world. Bacon's paintings are known for their raw emotional power and their ability to capture the darker aspects of the human experience. Today, his work is considered some of the most important and influential of the 20th century.