Study from the Human Body. Etude de Corps Humain. by Francis Bacon, 1909-1992

Francis Bacon, 1909-1992
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Study from the Human Body. Etude de Corps Humain.

Lithograph in colours after the painting by Bacon. 1981. Signed in pencil. Numbered (72) in pencil from the edition of 150. Printed at the studio of Arts Litho, Paris 1981. Stones worked by the master printmaker. Issued by Editions de la Différence and Galerie Maeght, Paris 1981.
Note: Derived from the 1975 painting of the same title.

Excellent strong unfaded impression. On pale cream wove Aches paper. Excellent condition; very slightest signs of old mounting on the reverse. Printed to the full sheet size, as issued. Sheet: 17 5/8 x 12 7/8ins ( 450x328mm).

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It was in 1944 that Bacon showed what was probably his first picture on public exhibition. It was a study of figures at a crucifixion, and it established what was to remain the central message of his art - his pessimism about the role and purpose of man's life, and his belief in the ultimate futility of even the most inspired creations of man's intellect. Belief in this futility could not stop his desire to create, but in that lay the central conflict of his life; a conflict between the belief on the one hand that he was made an artist and must strive as such, but on the other hand that anything created was doomed to be ultimately futile.

The main motifs of Bacon's art were the human figure, and the human figure used to express his inner conflict. Thus the limbs are distorted and twisted as if in agony, the faces seemingly screaming, but at the same time they are executed in rich colours and passages of harmonious form are woven around them. It is as if they are struggling to find peace, but ultimately there is failure.

Bacon's prints were all derived from his paintings, and created with extensive help from the technicians of the studios. However they remain a powerful and effective expression of the ideas and of the power of his art. This lithograph is one of his most sought-after small scale prints.