“Seated Figure,” created in 1977 by Francis Bacon, is an oil painting on canvas that measures 198 x 147 cm. Representing the Expressionism art movement, this genre painting is part of a private collection.
The artwork captures a figure seated in a surreal and distorted manner, embodying Bacon’s signature style of contorted and emotionally charged human forms. The individual appears to be ensconced in a white chair set against a stark, minimalistic background. The figure, rendered with a ghostly complexion, exhibits an unsettling combination of physical clarity and a sense of distortion. The elongated limbs and the ambiguous amalgamation of human and abstract elements highlight the inner turmoil and existential dread that Bacon often portrayed. The dark, looming atmosphere, coupled with the aggressive brushstrokes and dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, conveys a palpable tension and an almost visceral sense of angst. The use of space, with the figure seemingly suspended in a void, further amplifies the sense of isolation and psychological disquietude intrinsic to Bacon’s oeuvre.
