The artwork titled “Study of the Human Body,” created by Francis Bacon in 1987, is a notable piece within the Expressionism movement. Rendered in oil and pastel on a canvas measuring 198 by 147 cm, this figurative work is part of a private collection. The painting exemplifies Bacon’s distinctive style, capturing the human form through a lens of abstraction and emotional intensity.
The artwork depicts a solitary, enigmatic figure partially framed within an abstract setting. The figure, rendered in ethereal, ghostly forms, is positioned on the left side of the canvas, extending upwards from a reflective or mirrored surface. The background contrasts starkly with its vibrant orange hue, creating a surreal, almost otherworldly atmosphere. The central, undefined area of the canvas evokes a sense of ambiguity and unease, characteristic of Bacon’s exploration of the human condition. The work’s stark contrasts and bold use of color and form encapsulate the existential struggles and psychological depths that Bacon often sought to convey in his art.
