Francis Bacon by Bruce Bernard 

I took my own photographs simply because he was who he was and I felt obliged to use a camera which had been given me as a present. 

I went twice as I wasn’t satisfied with the first session when he wore a plain shirt, and didn’t improve on it much the second time, when he wore a striped one. Having been Picture Editor of the Sunday Times Magazine, I tried to imagine how some of the photographers I had commissioned would have gone about it, while concentrating on the man rather than doing things with backgrounds or props etc. I must also have thought of Deakin's inimitable directness. Anyone could be forgiven for thinking Francis indifferent, bored and even hostile towards me, but although he was perfectly friendly before and after each session (cups of tea and small-talk to begin with), he became preoccupied and seemed a little depressed when faced by the camera or even to be harbouring hostile thoughts about someone, and there are some shots taken in the first session which seem actually tragic. He seemed just a little dressed up on both occasions and the shine on his shoes was unnaturally perfect. In my most contrived photograph – complete with electric light bulb – the black and white (no. 5) in which his eyes are downcast, I thought he was rather like a girl who had dressed for a dance but felt displeased with whoever it was she was going to it with. 

Ridiculous perhaps but it seemed something curious was going on in his mind. The only distinction the pictures have, I believe, is that he felt no need to look friendly, tragic or anything else as he knew they weren't for a magazine or any purpose at all and well might never be seen. Incidentally he always liked helping friends make some money out of his prestige, and would have put on an act for me had it been necessary. 

I knew him over a very long period, if not nearly as well as I thought I did, and feel honoured that such a considerable figure behaved like a good friend for so long. 

Excerps from 12 Photographs of Francis Bacon by Bruce Bernard British Council catalogue, 1998.