“Figure Seated (the Cardinal),” created by Francis Bacon in 1955, embodies the essence of Expressionism through its oil on canvas medium. Measuring 152 x 116 cm, this portrait is housed at the Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst (S.M.A.K) in Gent, Belgium.
The artwork portrays a seated figure, enveloped in dark, somber tones. The cardinal is centrally positioned, exuding a sense of solemnity and contemplation. Bacon’s distinctive style is evident in the distorted and abstract representation of the figure, which seems to emerge from the depths of the surrounding darkness. The use of light and shadow highlights the intensity and psychological depth, compelling viewers to ponder the existential themes often explored in Bacon’s oeuvre.