Michel Leiris's Miroir de la Tauromachie was the first book Bacon received from the author at the beginning of their long and close friendship. Bacon identified in Leiris's writing a similar struggle to understand the underlying intimacy and violence of existence. The theme of the Corrida, by nature a violent demonstration, struck a chord with Bacon who went on to produce a number of studies on the subject, thereby begining the collaborative association which would greatly influence both author and artist.