The artwork, titled “Oedipus,” was created by the renowned artist Francis Bacon in 1979. This oil on canvas painting measures 198 by 147 centimeters and belongs to the Expressionism movement. Classified as a mythological painting, it is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork presents a visually stimulating and thought-provoking depiction of the mythological figure Oedipus, rendered in Bacon’s distinctive style. Dominated by a vivid orange backdrop, the central figure appears to be an abstracted, contorted form suggestive of intense emotion and psychological turmoil. Two shadowy grey forms can be seen on the left and right sections, alongside a geometric, almost cubist structure enclosing the main subject, enhancing the sense of confinement and anguish. The stark contrast of colors and abstract shapes leads the viewer to reflect upon the profound themes of fate, identity, and existential dread that are often associated with the tragic story of Oedipus.
