Head c. 1957 - 1961

Curator: This is a sketch, simply titled "Head," by Francis Bacon. It's part of the Tate Collections. Editor: It's stark, almost desolate. The figure seems isolated on the page. Curator: Indeed. Look at the support; you see it's just a piece of paper, its edges ragged, almost as if torn from a larger sheet. Consider this within Bacon's wider production methods; he was known for working on raw canvas, often using unconventional materials. Editor: The black ink is so immediate, conveying a sense of urgency. The form is highly distorted, yet conveys a recognizable human presence. It's the economy of line that does it for me. Curator: Bacon, of course, was deeply concerned with the human condition, particularly its frailty. This sketch underscores that. Editor: It’s a fascinating glimpse into his process—raw, visceral, immediate. Curator: Precisely, and perhaps a valuable insight into how Bacon constructed his world.