Figure with Left Arm Raised, No. 2 c. 1957 - 1961

Curator: Francis Bacon's "Figure with Left Arm Raised, No. 2" presents a figure rendered in oil on paper, part of the Tate collection. Its dimensions are relatively modest, 340 by 270 mm. Editor: It strikes me as a fleeting sketch—violent, almost. The raw brushstrokes convey a primal scream in abstract form. Curator: Bacon’s work often grapples with the human condition stripped bare—isolation, pain, existential angst. Consider the socio-political climate in which he operated, the shadows of war and the growing sense of alienation. Editor: The composition, though simple, is unsettling. The gestural application of paint is crucial, creating tension between the figure and its implied surroundings. The restricted palette amplifies the feeling of unease. Curator: Bacon's figures were often reflections of his own internal struggles, but also mirrored the broader anxieties of a world grappling with rapid change and moral uncertainty. Editor: It's a compelling study in form and feeling, a visual distillation of raw emotion into a minimalist composition. Curator: Absolutely, and one that continues to provoke and challenge viewers today.