The painter Francis Bacon lived the life of an outsider in violent times. He was the victim of two world wars as well as the troubles in Ireland. Of a generous nature, he was outlawed by his sexual preferences. Delving into the influences of Bacon's boyhood in Ireland, followed by his young manhood in Berlin and Paris and London during the Depression, Sinclair explores the early visions of Bacon that emerged onto his canvas. He takes the artist's turbulent life through to a wise and witty old age, with its determined rejection of honours, fame and riches. This study aims to demonstrate how history may direct the brush of an artist to illuminate his period and his personality. Andrew Sinclair is also author of The Naked Savage.