Figure with Foot in Hand c. 1957 - 1961

Curator: It strikes me first as something raw, almost primal, this figure twisting within its sparse, framed space. Editor: This is Francis Bacon’s "Figure with Foot in Hand," currently held at the Tate. The support is paper, roughly 27 by 34 centimeters. Curator: The figure’s form recalls fragmented memories and speaks to themes of existential isolation. The foot held aloft becomes a strange, symbolic burden. Editor: Right, and given Bacon's practice, it's interesting to see the process laid so bare. The thin paper and rapid brushstrokes give it the feel of a sketch, an immediate record of thought. Curator: It's a potent image, a concentrated burst of anguish. One can't help but wonder about the narrative suggested here. Editor: Definitely, and the materiality serves the content perfectly – the fragility amplifying the vulnerability of the figure. Curator: A brief and haunting glimpse into the artist's psyche. Editor: A testament to the power of economical mark-making.