“Figure with Meat” is an evocative artwork by the acclaimed artist Francis Bacon, created in 1954. Executed in oil on canvas, this piece is a prime example of the Expressionist movement and measures 127 x 121 cm. Categorized within the genre of portraiture, it is housed at the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
The artwork presents a haunting and disturbing image, characteristic of Bacon’s visceral style. Dominating the scene are the flayed carcasses of two sides of beef, which serve as a backdrop to a centralized, enigmatic figure. The figure, draped in dark, purple attire, exudes a ghostly and menacing presence, with its facial features blurred and abstracted. The juxtaposition of the raw meat and the figure creates a stark and morbid tableau, emblematic of Bacon’s exploration of the human condition, suffering, and existential angst. The dark, confined space of the background adds to the unsettling atmosphere, inviting contemplation and introspection.
