A FRIEND of artist Francis Bacon, who had a Bacon archive once valued at £20 million returned by The Tate last month over fears it is fake, has hit out at the gallery.
Barry Joule claims an archive of hundreds of sketches and clippings were given to him by his former friend Bacon just before the artist’s death in 1992. Joule donated the archive to the Tate in 2003, but the gallery struggled to verify it, saying last month it had “credible doubts” over its veracity. The Francis Bacon estate has also queried the items.
Joule told The Art Newspaper criticisms of him were “fake news... filled with omissions and glaring inaccuracies”, saying it was his legal demand which led to the return of the works. Joule claims to be giving the archive to the Centre Pompidou in Paris, though the French gallery say they have not been in contact with him.
Still king of the outdoors
Adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes did a Q&A about his new film at the BFI Southbank last night, telling Bear Grylls about the great “people he’s met”. It seems Fiennes is still sleeping in his car on trips to London, saying in the film: “The bed and breakfasts around here are pretty expensive. I’ll park up and put outa sleeping bag”.
Keir on why the 90s were different
KEIR Starmer pledged Labour wouldn’t rejoin the single market in a speech last night. Comparing Boris Johnson’s scandal-hit premiership to that of John Major in the 1990s, Sir Keir seemed to reference his own lack of popularity compared to Tony Blair, saying the “big difference with 1996” is that “we have lost that sense of optimism”, apparently blaming the economy for his poll woes. It’s a theory...
Hardy tree to topple
A TREE made famous by writer Thomas Hardy is expected to topple at any point after it was hit by a storm. The St Pancras Gardens landmark has tens of gravestones sitting in its roots. They are said to have been put there by the Tess of the D’Urbervilles author when he was working as an architect’s assistant in the 1860s. Camden council has cut the tree back in preparation for its fall.
Gowns on for the National Film Awards
ACTRESS KATE Beckinsale turned heads in a silver gown at the National Film Awards at Porchester Hall yesterday, where she won the Best Actress Prize for her role in comedy Jolt. Ex-EastEnders star Anita Dobson got a Lifetime Achievement Award, while Matthew Horne won Best Supporting Actor for his turn in The Nan Movie. Beckinsale celebrated with a dance in Trafalgar Square. Elsewhere, it seemed to be thesps day at Wimbledon, as Sir Ian McKellen planted a kiss on the hand of actor Sir Mark Rylance. Stephen Fry and writer Kathy Lette also attended, while James Middleton, brother of Kate, looked sharp with his wife Alizee Thevenet.
