Michael Behrens

Edward Michael Behrens (15 September 1911 – 28 January 1989) was a British financier, banker, stockbroker, and restaurant and gallery owner, who became co-owner of the Ionian Bank. Through his ownership of the Hanover Gallery, he was an early patron of the artist Francis Bacon.

Early life Edward Michael Behrens was born on 15 September 1911, in Kensington, London. His parents were Noel Edward Behrens (1879–1967), a civil servant until his retirement in 1921 and then a banker, and his wife, Catherine Vivien Coward (1880–1961), the daughter of Sir Cecil Coward (1845–1938). Behrens's elder sister Betty Behrens became an historian and academic.

Career In 1953, Behrens already owned La Resèrve restaurant. He bought the "influential" Hanover Gallery from Arthur Jeffress. The gallery had been representing Francis Bacon, who had his first solo show there in 1949. It continued to represent him until 1958 when Bacon left for the Marlborough Gallery. Behrens was "immediately fascinated" by Bacon's work, and offered to help keep the gallery open. Ionian Bank became "a leader in North Sea oil".

Personal life

In 1936, Behrens married Helen Constance Felicity Arnold (1913–2001). Their three sons included Timothy Behrens, who became an artist. Although Behrens had bought the Hanover Gallery, he was not happy with his son's wish to pursue an artistic career. After his death, Felicity lived there until 1996.

Behrens had an affair with novelist Elizabeth Jane Howard in the late 1940s. She modelled the protagonist in her novel The Long View (1956) on him.

In addition to his restaurant and gallery holdings, Behrens was patron to silver and goldsmith Gerald Benney.

Death Behrens died in London on 28 January 1989, at the age of 77.