Sphinx-Portrait of Muriel Belcher 1979

"Sphinx-Portrait of Muriel Belcher" is a 1979 oil painting by Francis Bacon. It depicts Muriel Belcher, a muse of Bacon, in a distorted and contorted form, characteristic of Bacon's style. The figure is rendered in a fleshy, almost grotesque manner and is placed within a stark, geometric space. The title references the enigmatic nature of the subject and the viewer's struggle to interpret the image. The artwork's use of bold colors, strong lines, and visceral imagery reflects Bacon's exploration of human vulnerability and the fragility of the body.