In the first semester of 2008 auctions, Francis Bacon was one of the protagonists par excellence.  In London last June, “Study for Heas of George Dyer” executed by the artist from Dublin in 1967 was the highlight at Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Evening Sale. But “Triptych, 1976” was even more important, realizing in May an extremely important record in the world of art: the canvas, sold by Sotheby’s for 86,281,00 dollars, set the new record for a work of contemporary art, breaking the record of “White Center (Yellow, Pink and Lavander on Rose)” sold last year by Sotheby’s New York for 72,84 million dollars.
As a modern Caravaggio, the Irish Francis Bacon has become a true icon of the damned artist. Credit for this goes to a myth fuelled by himself and his life: the contrasts with his father, his journeys in the Thirties, his homosexuality, his tragic loves, his passion for gambling and pubs.

Next 13th September the Museo Archivio Laboratorio per le Arti Contemporanee Hermann Nitsch of Naples will at last open its doors to the public. Located in the complex of the ex Station Bellini, the Museum, patronized by Giuseppe Morra – street mate and producer since the seventies of Hermann Nitsch’s work – will be exclusively dedicated to activities of documentation, presentation and promotion of the Austrian artist’s oeuvre, in particular of the relicts, paintings and installations of the Orgien Mysterien Theater (Theatre of Orgies and Mysteries) since the early seventies.
Now the Morra Foundation is celebrating its sodality and renewing its mission with a multifunctional space dedicated to the multiple arts: the historical collection of Nitsch’s oeuvre, the works of the 55.malaktion (action painting) realized last August and displayed in the tunnel that connects the Book Library-Media Library to the Museum.

Article translated by Amritee Mahabir

The “Contemporary Art” House organised by Sotheby’s New York next April 2nd was interestingly announced. The auction will put together 468 lots by high quality artists spacing from seventies art right up to contemporary masters.