A painted veil

http://looneybooks79.blog/2025/10/04/the-death-of-francis-bacon/

The final days of the painter Francis Bacon ((1909-1992) are portrayed in this novella by Max Porter, in seven fictitious paintings. Through these seven paintings we see through the eyes of the painter how he lies on his deathbed, with only a nurse by his side. 'Take a seat why don't you?' is how every chapter begins as if he wants to invite us and share the suffering, share the ending. We, as readers, are the witnesses of Bacon's final days, final thoughts and final musings.

"Preparatory sketch,
Non-existent, pencil on paper, 6 x 4 in."

I have to be honest... this was a mindfuck for me. And as I hear from other people who read it, they too think the same. The prose of Porter is extremely beautiful, captivating and it takes you to places you would never think of going. Porter has the ability to portray grief and death like you're there. But at the same time you really need to be very openminded (or on drugs?) to feel his intentions. I honestly think he succeeded in portraying the final days of Bacon in this novella, as if Bacon himself painted his final painting. If you know Bacon's work a little bit you know he had some really dark and horrific paintings (but very beautiful all the same!) like his Cardinal and this little novella feels like it's the paint on the canvas!

Don't expect a very coherent novella, a text with a start, mid and climax... no, these are the last musings of a man on his deathbed, these are memories of previous and final moments, these are thoughts on life and death!

"Intenta descansar."