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 Albello Collection, Madrid, Spain.

After Triptych (1983) exemplifies Bacon’s later work, exploring themes of human vulnerability, mortality, and death's looming presence. The three lithographs, set against a stark orange background, deviate from Bacon's earlier raw brutality, instead presenting a more introspective, still composition. The bold backdrop heightens the isolation of the distorted, semi-human figures, emphasising their disconnection from reality.

In the left panel, a grotesquely distorted figure, with exaggerated limbs resembling those of a dead animal, sits on an abstract chair, evoking disembodiment and vulnerability. The central panel features a phantom-like figure walking toward a black void, a recurring symbol of death or existential abyss in Bacon’s work, symbolising dissolution and the transient nature of life. The right panel presents a more grounded, human-like figure seated in isolation, facing the viewer, yet enclosed in a geometric structure that underscores his disconnection from the world.

This triptych reflects Bacon’s continued exploration of existential dread and the fragility of human existence, using distortion and stark imagery to evoke the ever-present influence of death.

For further information on the original painting please visit the Francis Bacon Estate page: https://www.francis-bacon.com/artworks/paintings/triptych-3