“Fragment of a Crucifixion,” created by Francis Bacon in 1950, is a notable example of Expressionism within the figurative genre. Measuring 139 x 106 cm, the artwork showcases Bacon’s characteristic style, emphasizing emotional intensity and raw, powerful imagery.
The artwork features an unsettling and dramatic composition, seemingly depicting a macabre scene with a partially abstracted crucifixion. The central figure appears tormented and distorted, conveying a sense of agony and despair. Surrounded by dark, undefined spaces, the figure’s grotesque portrayal is enhanced by the vigorous brushwork and stark contrasts. The fragmented and chaotic elements within the artwork evoke a visceral emotional response, encapsulating the existential dread often explored in Bacon’s work. The background contains vague, sketch-like suggestions of figures and forms, augmenting the sense of disarray and tension, while linear elements add to the spatial distortion.