Crafting Art Forgeries for Immersive Events: A Journey Through Francis Bacon's 'Screaming Pope

At Trove Arts, creating props for our immersive events is often more than just a technical exercise—it can be an emotional journey. Our forgery of Francis Bacon's 'Screaming Pope,' initially intended as a 'creepy prop' for a Halloween event, transformed into a profound exploration of the artist's tortured psyche.

Aaron pretends to be deep or something but really he might have a giant hand.

The "Screaming Pope": Francis Bacon's Tormented Vision

Francis Bacon's 'Screaming Pope' is a haunting portrayal of despair, part of a series inspired by Diego Velázquez's 'Portrait of Pope Innocent X.' Bacon, a deeply troubled artist, infused his personal anguish into this work. His influences ranged from Velázquez's classic portrait to the distorted human forms in Eadweard Muybridge's photography, the tormented woman on the Odessa steps in Battleship Potemkin, and his own brutal life experiences. Through bold brushstrokes and a stark color palette, Bacon conveyed an unsettling sense of chaos and unease.

The Emotional Depth of Forgery

Recreating Bacon's 'Screaming Pope' turned out to be more than just copying a painting—it was an emotional experience. (We prefer the term 'forgery' as it reflects a faithful recreation that respects the history and spirit of the original—plus, it adds a bit of sass.) As we meticulously replicated the painting with Bacon's life journey in mind, we found ourselves connecting with his raw emotion, much like the deep empathy evoked by re-reading powerful speeches like Harvey Milk's Hope speech or Malala Yousafzai's UN address. Recreating another artist's deeply personal work can open a door to human empathy that is rarely experienced. What began as a project for a Halloween event turned into a journey through an artist's darkest fears, offering profound insight into the emotional power of art. At Trove Arts, our goal is to bring these emotions to life, allowing our audience—and ourselves—to connect with the deep human experiences that great art captures.