Francis Bacon, one of the most captivating artists of the 20th century, transformed realism with his darkly expressive paintings that challenged norms and captivated audiences. Born in Dublin in 1909, Bacon led a tumultuous life marked by both personal and artistic struggles that greatly shaped his work. Despite little formal training, he achieved fame and critical acclaim through paintings that conveyed raw emotion and psychological depth. His work, which drew on influences from Old Masters to modernism, remains powerful and influential today, with pieces like Triptych, 3 Studies of Lucian Freud selling for record-breaking amounts.