Three Studies of Isabel Rawsthorne (on a light background) 1965

Francis Bacon made these three studies of Isabel Rawsthorne, likely in oil paint, and you can see how he's working things out as he goes. He's not afraid to let the process show. The paint is applied in these really physical, almost violent gestures. Look at the way he's smeared and twisted the paint on her face. It's like he's trying to capture something beyond just her likeness, maybe something about her inner state, her personality. Notice the way the raw canvas peeks through in places, adding to the sense of immediacy. I'm reminded of some of Picasso's portraits, the way he deconstructs and reassembles the face. But Bacon takes it even further, pushing the boundaries of representation. It’s like he’s saying, "Painting isn't just about copying what we see, it's about finding new ways of seeing." The ambiguity is what makes it so compelling.