The artwork entitled “Self-Portrait” was created by the artist Francis Bacon in 1958. It is an oil on canvas that stands within the expressionist movement, measuring a substantial 78 by 58 inches (198 x 147.5 cm). This self-portrait genre piece is currently located within a private collection, signifying its unique status and value to collectors.
The artwork presents a figure, presumably the artist himself, seated against a dark background that fades into an indistinct horizon. The subject is depicted within what appears to be a geometric framework, possibly suggesting a room or a confining structure. The figure is dressed in a dark suit, his body articulating a sense of weight and substance, yet there is a feeling of unrest or tension.
The portrayal of the face is especially striking; it exhibits a distortion characteristic of Bacon’s style, with features that are obscured and smeared, perhaps conveying psychological intensity or existential angst. The eyes are shadowed, making the gaze enigmatic and distant. His hand is raised to his forehead in a gesture that might indicate deep thought, distress, or simply the act of framing his face. The overall effect is one of a haunted, introspective existence, rendered with a turbulent and dramatic technique that echoes the turmoil within.
