Four works by Francis Bacon and Auguste Rodin will headline Sotheby’s Frieze Week contemporary evening auction in London on October 16. The lots include Bacon’s paintings *Portrait of a Dwarf* (estimated up to £9 million) and *Study for Self-Portrait* (up to £6 million), alongside Rodin’s final bronze iterations of *Pierre de Wissant* and *Jean de Fiennes* (each estimated at £600,000–£900,000). The works come from an important private collection; the Bacons were acquired directly from the artist and kept for over 40 years, while the Rodins were purchased from the Musée Rodin. Sotheby’s chairman Alex Branczik highlighted the unexpected connection between the two artists, both known for their transformative depictions of the human form.
This sale matters because it brings together rare, historically significant works from two titans of Western art, with Bacon’s *Portrait of a Dwarf* being particularly notable as the only painting the artist ever kept for himself. The auction, timed to Frieze Week, underscores the enduring market strength for blue-chip modern masters and the continued appeal of works with exceptional provenance. The inclusion of previously unpublished audio from Bacon’s close friend Eddy Batache adds a layer of art-historical depth, potentially driving collector interest and setting a benchmark for Bacon and Rodin works at auction.