Francis Bacon’s gender trouble

John Deakin, Henrietta Moraes c1963 (first photoshoot)

John Deakin, Henrietta Moraes c1963 (second photoshoot – reshot at Bacon’s request)

Francis BaconLying figure 1969oil on canvas, 197 x 147 cmBeyeler Foundation, Switzerland

Francis Bacon, Lying figure 1969, oil on canvas, 197 x 147 cm, Beyeler Foundation, Switzerland (detail)

Francis Bacon, Lying figure 1969, oil on canvas, 197 x 147 cm, Beyeler Foundation, Switzerland (details)

Francis Bacon, Lying figure 1969, oil on canvas, 197 x 147 cm, Beyeler Foundation, Switzerland (details)

Francis Bacon, Lying figure 1969, oil on canvas, 197 x 147 cm, Beyeler Foundation, Switzerland (details)

Francis BaconStudy from the human body 1975oil on canvas, private collection

Study from the human body 1975 (detail)

Study from the human body 1975 (detail)

Francis Bacon, Studies from the human body 1975 (detail)

Francis Bacon, Studies from the human body 1975 (detail)

Above: Studies from the human body 1975 (detail)

John Deakin, George Dyer cut into stencil by Francis Bacon, from the studio archive

Lying figure 1969 (detail) Studies from the human body 1975 (detail)