A question of interpretation.

1. David Sylvester - formalist approach - use of abstraction in face of objections to content, "screaming bloody mouths . . . simply as harmless studies in pink, white, and red."
2. Freudian - Relationship with father - whipped and kicked him out as punishment for homosexuality, Experience cleaning corpses out of bombed-out buildings in London during WWII, life of drinking, gambline, S & M escapades
3. Bacon - work only about painting, obsession with Velazquez, Picasso, and Van Gogh
4. John Russell - source in animal movement sudies of Eadweard Muybridge
5. True story -exorcism and commemoration of suicide of ex-lover who died in their hotel bathroom