Triptych Inspired by Oresteia of Aeschylus 1981

Francis Bacon made this oil painting, Triptych Inspired by Oresteia of Aeschylus, which is a set of three panels, though the date remains unknown. The painting draws inspiration from ancient Greek tragedy to explore complex themes of fate, justice, and the human condition. Bacon was working in post-war Europe, where there was a widespread anxiety about the future of humanity following two world wars. The figures are distorted and grotesque, capturing a sense of existential angst and alienation. They seem trapped within geometric cages, perhaps symbolising the confines of the human body and mind. The intense, lurid colours heighten the sense of drama. The visual vocabulary is both modern and archaic. A study of the social and intellectual history of the mid-20th century can help us understand Bacon’s work as a response to the world around him. In particular, it is important to look at how war and rapid social change affect society’s most vulnerable members.