Authentic Bacon?

The Irish Museum of Modern Art has announced plans to exhibit, for the first time, work from a collection of drawings, photographs and collages controversially said to be the work of Francis Bacon, writes Aidan Dunne. The collection, which includes close to 500 pieces, is owned by Barry Joule, a trusted friend of Bacon. His announcement that Bacon had entrusted this veritable archive of material to him caused a furore last year in the London art world. Some commentators doubted the works actually were by Bacon.

Many of the pieces look as if they are preparatory studies for paintings, and Bacon professed never to use such studies. If the Joule works were accepted as authentic, they would force a fundamental re-evaluation of accounts of the painter's working methods provided by writers such as David Sylvester.

The weight of opinion among informed observers seems to be shifting towards acceptance of the works as genuine.

They will go on view next year in a suite of galleries in the newly restored Deputy Master's House at Kilmainham. The exhibition is likely to attract a great deal of attention and marks the second major Bacon coup for Dublin galleries. The artist's studio, donated by his heir, John Edwards, is due to go on show early next year at the Hugh Lane Gallery.

Also on show in the new galleries at Kilmainham will be a collection of drawings on photographs by Picasso.