News
22/02/2010
Francis Bacon painting finally goes on show in Batley
A reproduction of a painting that's too valuable to display has gone on show at Batley Art Gallery.
The painting Figure Study II by one of the 20th century's most influential artists - Francis Bacon - was presented to Batley Art Gallery by the Contemporary Art Society in 1952.
Over the years the issue of displaying this important work in Batley has surfaced from time to time.
The reasons the painting has not been able to be displayed are numerous - primarily related to security and the impact on insurance, due to the painting's value.
Add this to environmental control and transportation (due to the physical condition of the work) and the problems become almost unsurmountable without a significant call on rate payers money.
Whenever Kirklees Galleries lend the work (and it's often in demand) they need to be sure that the borrowers can meet certain security, insurance, transport and environmental conditions which Kirklees struggle to meet, even at Huddersfield Art Gallery.
Indeed these issues have come into play once again and the insurers have recommended an upgrade in security when the work is on display at Huddersfield Art Gallery.
Following the most recent round of correspondence in the Batley News and the resulting discussions, involving local MP Mike Wood, local man Allan Thompson and Robert Hall, principal visual arts officer for Kirklees Council, the idea of producing and displaying a reproduction of the work in recognition of its place in Batley's heritage came to the fore.
The reproduction was unveiled at Batley Art Gallery on Friday morning.
