Painting 1985

This painting by Francis Bacon throws you right into the chaos, doesn’t it? The colors are muted, almost like a faded memory, which makes the raw, visceral quality of the image even more striking. Look at how Bacon handles the paint. It's thin, transparent in places, allowing the canvas to breathe. The figure is trapped in a kind of architectural cage conjured with bold, confident lines. I find myself wondering, is this cage protecting it, or is it part of the torture? Then there’s that little splash of white, a quick flick of the wrist. It's a moment of spontaneity, like a sudden, involuntary gesture. Bacon reminds me a little of Philip Guston, actually, especially in his later work. Both artists share this interest in deconstructing the figure. In both of their practices, meaning is always open, unfixed and up for grabs.