Francis Bacon: Man and Beast

The Royal Academy's long-awaited exhibition - it was due to open on 30 January last year, but instead opens 364 days later - is billed as, 'the first exhibition to chart the development of the artist’s work through the lens of his fascination with animals and its impact on his treatment of the human figure', and promises monumental canvasses which haven't been seen together since they were first exhibited, or have never been seen in public the UK before. Bacon's work never ceases to fascinate, and, love it or hate it, there is no doubting that his handling of paint was some of the most spectacular in the 20th century, from carefully applied detailing, via evocative veils of colour to daring splashes, thrown at the all-but-finished work in an unparalleled act of bravado. The artist's subject matter reaches deep into the human soul, while also seeing humans as a unique type of animal. By focussing on the 'Beast' this exhibition should be truly revelatory.

Like others, the talk will function as an introduction to those who are able to go to the exhibition, or an explanation for those who can't. And like the others, it will be a one-off event which will not be recorded.