The artwork titled “Study for Portrait,” created by Francis Bacon in 1949, belongs to the Expressionism art movement. It is categorised as a sketch and study and measures 147.3 x 130.8 cm.
In this compelling artwork, the central figure appears to be in a state of torment or profound distress, rendered with expressive and dramatic brush strokes characteristic of Bacon’s style. The background is dominated by vertical streaks of orange and black, evoking an unsettling atmosphere. The figure’s facial expressions and posture convey a sense of anguish, which is further accentuated by the raw and almost chaotic application of paint. The subject’s mouth is agape, as if in a scream, and their hands are tense and gripping an undefined surface in front of them, creating a haunting and powerful visual impact consistent with the themes of existential dread and human suffering that pervade Bacon’s work.
