After Second Version Of The Triptych, 1944 (left panel)
After Second Version Of The Triptych, 1944 (left panel)
Signed Print
Francis Bacon
POA
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Lithograph, 1988
Signed Print Edition of 60
H 86cm x W 61cm
Critical Review
Created in 1988, this panel is part of a triptych by Francis Bacon named After Second Version of the Triptych 1944. The piece is a reworking of Bacon’s most widely known triptych which established his status as one of the UK’s foremost post-war painters. Towards the end of his long career, the artist would often create second versions of his major works when the originals became too fragile.
In this left panel, the first of the three writhing anthropomorphic creatures is placed left of centre and is engulfed in a blood red void. The pink flesh toned creature seemingly rests on a table and its body parts fuse and fold onto one another presenting an unfamiliar form. Dark and transparent patches seep up into the plane from below creating a dirty smoke or soot-like effect. A lightly coloured horizontal line splits the red background suggesting the creatures are in a room.
The lithograph is part of an edition size of 60. It has a disturbing and sinister atmosphere reflecting that of the original 1944 piece. However, the use of a deep red background was, according to the artist, less shocking for the viewer than the original burnt orange. Similarly, the smaller size of the creatures against the engulfing red background makes them less threatening than the original but nonetheless unsettling in their form and seclusion in the space.
