Study for a Portrait 1978

Francis Bacon’s *Study for a Portrait* (1978) is a striking example of the artist's signature style of portraiture. The work depicts a distorted and fragmented figure, characterized by thick impasto and contorted forms. The subject, seen in profile, has a large, prominent nose and a mouth that appears to be contorted in pain or anguish. The stark contrast between the figure and the flat, blue background further emphasizes the sense of isolation and vulnerability. This work, like many of Bacon's portraits, is both unsettling and captivating, drawing viewers into the depths of human emotion and the fragility of existence.