His iconic performance “Jokers” in 2008 by the late Heath Ledger was based on one of Francis Bacon’s triptychs, Christopher Nolan has revealed, ahead of a major exhibition opening on Thursday 10 October in London dedicated to the legendary artist.

“Sometime in my teenage years, on a field trip to the Tate Gallery I noticed a poster for a Bacon retrospective, which depicted a face from one of his triptychs” said the Oscar-winning director on the occasion of the exhibition “Francis Bacon: Human Presence”, at the National Portrait Gallery in London, according to the Guardian.

“The pale, full-lined features drew me in and never let me go, adorning various walls in different apartments. Years later I showed the image to Heath Ledger as he prepared to play the Joker in The Dark Knight, and he immediately beamed at the tortured humanity of the painting. It also informed the makeup of the character in the clearest way.”

THE “Jokers” Ledger’s scary make-up and big red smile earned the actor, who died before his film’s official release, the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, among others.

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“Bacon’s ability to distort matter and time through oil on canvas is inherently cinematic” noted the award-winning creator.

“It’s as if he wanted his paintings to remain ambiguous, challenging the visitor to engage with the wild emotions embodied within the paint.” The exhibition will be hosted by the National Portrait Gallery, London, until January 19, 2025.

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