The artwork, titled “Portrait of George Dyer and Lucian Freud,” is a 1967 creation by Francis Bacon, a prominent figure within the Expressionism movement. This portrait, measuring 198 by 147 cm, encapsulates the artist’s interpretation of the two subjects, rendered in his distinctive expressive style.
The artwork depicts two figures, George Dyer and Lucian Freud, seated in what appears to be an intimate and tense setting. Bacon’s characteristic distortion of the human form is evident, creating a sense of psychological intensity and complexity. Dyer, on the left, is painted with exaggerated, almost grotesque features, while Freud on the right, is rendered with equally unsettling distortions. The background features heavy drapery, contributing to the claustrophobic atmosphere of the scene. In the foreground, a table with objects, including what appears to be a round ashtray, adds to the interior setting’s realism amidst the abstract, emotional rendering of the figures. The overall composition reflects Bacon’s intent to explore the deep layers of human emotion and interaction through his unconventional portrayal of these figures.