Francis Bacon: The Papal Portraits of 1953 explores the largest series of paintings made by the British artist Francis Bacon. For the first time, this book collects all eight Study for Portrait paintings, the famous "Study after Velazquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X" from 1953 and several other works from the period. An essay by Hugh M. Davies, who has written extensively about Bacon, discusses his influences and sources of imagery for this body of work. Also included is a previously unpublished interview with Bacon that Davies conducted more than 25 years ago. Rounded out with a chronology and selected bibliography, Papal Portraits is a major document for the study of this vital and influential twentieth-century master.