In the 1980s, Francis Bacon’s work entered a quieter but no less powerful phase. Now internationally recognised, he turned inward, refining both his technique and his themes. The turbulent energy of earlier decades gave way to a more measured approach: stark, open backgrounds replaced the dense interiors of the 1960s and 70s, while colour became sharper and more deliberate, vivid pinks, oranges, and cool greys dominating. This reduction in detail heightened the psychological weight of his figures, who appear more static and reflective.
Bacon also revisited many of his recurring subjects, friends, lovers, and self-portraits, but now with a sense of detachment. Despite the restraint of this later style, his work remained deeply human, confronting the realities of ageing and physical decline with a quieter yet unflinching honesty.
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