Two Studies for Self-Portrait 1972

Francis Bacon made these two studies for self-portrait with oil on canvas. The dark background is pure Bacon, and the way he works pinks and blues into his face is masterful. The textures, particularly around the eyes and mouth, feel almost sculptural. Look at the right-hand portrait, the sharp, almost violent strokes around the nose. It’s like he’s trying to carve the face out of the darkness, or perhaps it is dissolving into it. I love the way he uses the brush to push and pull the paint, creating a sense of movement and unease. It’s like he’s not just painting a face but trying to capture something more elusive about identity. There’s an echo of artists like Picasso in Bacon’s work. Both invite us to look beyond the surface and consider the fractured, multifaceted nature of reality.