The artwork titled “Three Studies of Isabel Rawsthorne (on a light background)” was created by Francis Bacon in 1965. This piece belongs to the Expressionism art movement and is classified as a sketch and study genre.
The artwork consists of three panels, each portraying an abstract and distorted depiction of Isabel Rawsthorne. In each study, the subject’s facial features are exaggerated and obscured with dynamic brushwork, conveying a sense of intense emotion and psychological depth. The light background contrasts with the dark and rich colors used in the figures, highlighting the expressive and raw quality of Bacon’s style. The use of sweeping, curved lines and irregular forms dominate the composition, which evokes a sense of movement and intensity. The studies together present a fragmented and multifaceted view of the subject, adhering to the essence of Expressionism through vivid representation of inner turmoil and emotional complexity.
