Tate Gallery gifted with Francis Bacon art

LONDON, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Artist Francis Bacon's handyman has given London's Tate Gallery sketches from the painter worth almost $37 million 12 years after Bacon died.

The gift from Barry Joule, who first met Bacon when he fixed the artist's television antenna for him, represents the largest gift the Tate has ever received, the Times of London reported Monday.

The collection includes images related to known paintings, such as his study for the death mask of William Blake, as well as the important Pope series and Bacon's portrait of George Dyer, his early lover.

The gift also ends a 12-year legal battle over rightful ownership of the works between Bacon's estate and Joule, who said the artist gave him the works days before his death, saying "You know what to do with them."

The death last year of John Edwards, Bacon's boyfriend who headed his estate, left room for a resolution. Along with Joule's gift, Bacon's estate issued a statement supporting the gift to Tate.

Joule, 49, lived next door to Bacon and helped him for many years as a chauffeur and handyman.