Edition of 150. Inspired by the painting of the same title in the collection of the Fundación Juan March, Madrid.

Francis Bacon's Triptych March (1974) is a striking exploration of human form, movement, and existential unease. In the attached image, one of the central figures from this triptych appears as a distorted, almost abstracted body, suspended in a state of flux. The figure is ambiguous, melting into the background and seemingly disintegrating. Its amorphous shape, rendered in ghostly blues and pinks, reflects Bacon's fascination with the instability of the human condition. The blurred, twisted form suggests a fusion of flesh and shadow, indicating both physicality and the loss of identity, themes central to Bacon's works from this period.

The composition is defined by the sharp contrast between the dark background and the lighter foreground. The figure appears trapped between these two opposing spaces, evoking a sense of isolation and confinement. The thin black line that bisects the canvas horizontally adds to this feeling of separation, dividing the composition into two distinct zones, which could symbolise the boundary between life and death, or the conscious and unconscious mind. Above the figure, a single lightbulb hangs precariously, casting a weak illumination that heightens the sense of loneliness and existential despair. The lightbulb is a recurring motif in Bacon’s work, often used to evoke both a sterile, clinical atmosphere and an eerie isolation.

The colours in this piece, while muted, are deeply evocative. The flesh tones of the figure, though distorted and fragmented, are soft and vulnerable, standing in contrast to the stark black and cream of the background. The use of shadow and blur lends the figure a sense of motion, as if it is caught mid-metamorphosis, embodying Bacon’s ongoing investigation into the fragility and impermanence of human existence. The work as a whole reflects Bacon's preoccupation with the themes of suffering, isolation, and the ephemeral nature of life, combining physical distortion with emotional depth.

For further information on the original painting please visit the Francis Bacon Estate page: https://www.francis-bacon.com/artworks/paintings/triptych-march-1974