Christie’s says the Bacon painting still has a shot to find a buyer. According to the Telegraph, Christie’s is doing some serious signaling post-auction about their star-lot Bacon:

The auction house blamed the style of the painting itself rather than its price tag in the economic gloom for disinterest in the sale. A Christie’s spokesman said: “I don’t think we can blame the credit crunch for the Bacon picture not selling. It was quite an academic piece. [ . . . ]

“There was a lot of interest in the painting in the run up to the sale and there has been immediately after.” He said it was possible that the painting may now be subject to a private sale.

(Read that as, Christie’s: I told you so. Consignor: Just get it sold, please.)

Francis Bacon Portrait Fails to Sell at Auction (Telegraph)