Head II 1958

Francis Bacon made this painting, Head II, with oil paint, and you can really see it. It’s got that deep royal blue background, like the color of melancholy, against the pinks and oranges that streak the face of the figure. Look at that face, it’s like Bacon is trying to find a way to express something beyond just likeness. I think he was thinking about the idea of a portrait, but then he was like, nah, what if I mess it up, but on purpose? The mouth is just a dark slit, the eyes are closed, and the whole thing is kind of collapsing inward. I can imagine him standing there, brush loaded, making those visceral marks. You know, Bacon was always looking at other painters. He's part of this long, fascinating conversation between artists over time, working out how to turn feelings into form.