Second Version of Triptych 1944 1988

Francis Bacon made this *Second Version of Triptych 1944* with oil paint on canvas. Bacon was interested in the texture and appearance of flesh, and he has rendered these strange biomorphic forms with a loose, gestural technique. You can clearly see his brushwork and the dripping of the paint, which create a disturbing, visceral effect. These aren't idealized figures, but rather, raw and unsettling representations of the human condition. Bacon's application of oil paint makes for a rich sense of movement. The forms feel suspended, almost dissected, forcing us to confront our own mortality. This is a deliberate choice, and it is tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. The amount of work involved is evident in the layers of paint, and also the emotional intensity that emanates from the canvas. By considering materials, making, and context, we can understand Bacon's intention to challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.