Head VI

Francis Bacon - "Head VI" (1949) Oil on canvas

Francis Bacon captures physical and psychological horror by manipulating the perspective of the viewer and changing proportions of his subjects until they become nearly unrecognizable. In doing so, he creates fear in the viewer by exposing them to unknown views of everyday objects...many of his paintings incorporate meat or detached jawbones to add a sense of unease to otherwise more traditional pictures. I like how he used his paintings of popes and other religious imagery to create tension and discomfort, almost to the point where they're difficult to look at.

-Kristine O'Connell