Wanted: The lost masterpiece of Francis Bacon - information is desired!

Wanted: The lost masterpiece of Francis Bacon - information is desired!

The riddle of the missing work of art: "Bacons head" and the importance of his return

The theft of an extraordinary work of art remains for many a still but dark, shimmering chapter in the history of art crime. 36 years ago, in 1988, the masterpiece "Portrait of Francis Bacon" by the renowned painter Lucian Freud from the new National Gallery in Berlin was stolen. This painting, which reflects the close friendship between Bacon and Freud, is of great importance not only for the United Kingdom, but for the entire art world and is a significant cultural heritage.

This classically stored art crime in the NDR Culture Podcast "Art Crimes" is currently being discussed. The two moderators, Lenore Lötsch and Torben Steenbuck, describe the exciting search for the still missing painting in season. They give the audience an insight into the lengthy determination of the criminal commissioner René Allonge, who has been pursuing the case for the years. Despite the promising traces and new witnesses, the decisive information that leads to the whereabouts of the picture has so far remained.

The interaction with the listeners of the podcast is particularly remarkable. In the relay finale, which was published on September 10, 2023, all previous information and theories will be compiled in order to actively involve the audience in the search. The question is raised: Whoever has seen the painting among the listeners before, or on an old attic or on a wall? This invitation to the public reflects a central element of art crime: the inseparability of art and community.

Andrea Rose, the then curator of the exhibition, has not given up since theft. Your personal concern and the search for the picture are a constant memory of the importance of art in the life of people. The case also shows how profound the effects of such a crime can be on individuals and society. Even after decades, the search for "Bacon's head" is not only a criminalistic puzzle, but also arouses a collective memory and emotional engagement in society.

For the audience of the podcast, which can provide information at any time, it becomes clear that every small contribution can be important to such a great puzzle. The team of "art crimes" encourages to share the old and hidden things, because it could be the key to rediscovering a treasure believed.

The podcast is not only an example of modern investigative work, but also an invitation to the audience to actively participate in the restoration of this important cultural connection. The conversations with criminal officers, witnesses and suspects are not only exciting, they also raise questions: How well do we know the history of our works of art and who can revive them in the end?

The consequences of the podcast are available in the ARD audio gauge and on all common podcast platforms. The makers of the podcast are available for interviews until September 13th in order to raise awareness of this unique art crime and collect information. The search for "Bacon's head" remains not only a question of art, but also the community and the collective memory.