Study for Self-Portrait 1980

Francis Bacon made this oil on canvas self-portrait in the United Kingdom at a time when the established institutions of art, like the Royal Academy, were being challenged by new approaches. Bacon's distorted features and unsettling composition can be seen as a challenge to traditional portraiture, which often served to reinforce social hierarchies and project an image of power. Born in Ireland, Bacon often felt like an outsider in British society, because he was gay. The mid 20th century was a time when the establishment ostracized members of the gay community, so it is easy to see how he might have felt like an outsider to the established order. The historical study of art involves exploring such contexts. We need to question the role of art and its institutions in shaping social norms, and how artists like Bacon can challenge these norms through their work. This is why, as an art historian, I emphasize the significance of understanding the social and institutional forces that shape the creation and reception of art.