Francis Bacon, after Study of a Human Body after Ingres (1982), 1984

Edition of 180 with Arabic numbering, together with a number of H.C. (Hors Commerce) and E.A. (artist proofs). Inspired by the painting of the same title in the collection of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., USA.

After Study of a Human Body after Ingres by is a reinterpretation of Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres' classical approach to the human figure. While Ingres emphasised precise, realistic anatomy, Bacon distorts and abstracts the body, creating a grotesque and unsettling form that lacks clear limbs or facial features. This distortion reflects Bacon's exploration of the human condition, focusing on vulnerability, existential tension, and the fragility of the body.

The red background heightens the intensity of the piece, evoking themes of passion, violence, or suffering. Bacon contrasts the organic, distorted figure with geometric lines, emphasising the tension between order and chaos. His depiction of the body, stripped of identity and idealism, challenges traditional beauty and highlights the raw, unsettling aspects of human existence, encouraging a visceral response from the viewer.

For further information on the original painting please visit the Francis Bacon Estate page: https://www.francis-bacon.com/artworks/paintings/diptych-1982-84-study-human-body-1982-84-study-human-body-drawing-ingres-1982

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