“Study from the Human Body,” created by the renowned artist Francis Bacon in 1991, is a distinguished piece of expressionist art. Executed using oil and pastel on canvas, this figurative artwork measures 198 by 147 centimeters and is presently held in a private collection.
The artwork embodies Bacon’s signature style, blending raw human emotion with a distortion of form, characteristic of the Expressionism movement. A muscular, human figure is depicted leaning over a ledge, with its body contorted in a manner that accentuates the tension and agony often portrayed in Bacon’s works. The figure’s head and upper torso are enclosed within a geometrical frame, creating a juxtaposition of confinement against the otherwise expansive backdrop of stark, contrasting colors. The flesh tones are rendered with a visceral quality, further emphasizing the dramatic intensity and existential torment of the subject. The usage of bold orange and muted tones in the background contrasts sharply with the tactile realism of the figure, enhancing the visual impact and emotional depth of the composition.