The artwork “Version No. 2 of Lying Figure with Hypodermic Syringe” was created by the renowned artist Francis Bacon in 1968. This piece is a striking example of Expressionism, rendered in oil on canvas. Measuring 198 by 147 centimeters, the genre of the piece is figurative. Currently, the artwork resides within a private collection.
The artwork presents a visually complex and emotionally charged scene. The central figure appears contorted and abstract, lying atop what looks like a curved structure, possibly a circular bed or operating table. The colors are vivid and unsettling, with stark contrasts and a blend of flesh tones interrupted by jarring black, white, and red strokes. A sense of movement or struggle is conveyed through the blurred lines and smears, a characteristic hallmark of Bacon’s style.
Around the figure, the backdrop is split into vertical stripes, suggesting a curtained enclosure that both frames and entraps the subject within its confines. Despite the title’s reference to a hypodermic syringe, the depiction of this object is not overtly literal or clear, adding to the painting’s ambiguity and psychological tension.
Through deliberate distortion and an intense palette, Bacon communicates a sense of turmoil and distress. The painting’s visceral impact and the rawness of its execution are representative of the artist’s exploration into the depths of human emotion and the existential dread that often accompanies his work.