The artwork “Self-Portrait” by Francis Bacon, created in 1958, is an expressionist oil on canvas. It measures 14 by 12 inches (35.5 x 30.5 cm) and falls within the genre of self-portrait. This piece is held in the Musee National d’Art Moderne at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.
In the artwork, we observe a distorted human figure, which is characteristic of Bacon’s style, with smeared and fragmented features that express psychological intensity and emotional depth. The palette is largely dark, with hints of lighter colors highlighting certain aspects of the figure, creating a stark contrast that emphasizes the isolation and abstraction of the subject. The space surrounding the figure is ambiguous, adding to the overall sense of confinement and introspection. Bacon’s use of brushwork is dynamic and appears almost violent, contributing to the visceral impact of the portrait. This self-portrait exemplifies Bacon’s capacity to convey raw emotion through his powerful, gestural approach to painting.
