Geist

Francis Bacon
Two Figures with a Monkey, 1973

Oil on canvas

198cm x 147.5cm

Later Works
Created After 1970
In the later stages of Francis Bacon's career, his work became more introspective, emotional, and refined, continuing to explore the human condition through intense, often disturbing imagery. After gaining prominence in the 1940s and 1950s, Bacon’s later works from the 1970s to the early 1990s reflect a more nuanced development of his earlier themes, isolation, mortality, and suffering.

During this period, Bacon's paintings became somewhat more pared-down in terms of composition. His use of space grew increasingly minimalistic, with his figures often depicted against flat, neutral backgrounds, enhancing the focus on their contorted forms and psychological tension.
"The greatest art always returns you to the vulnerability of the human situation"

- Francis Bacon

This period also marked a shift toward more personal subject matter, especially after the death of his partner George Dyer in 1971. Dyer’s death had a profound impact on Bacon’s work, leading to a series of paintings collectively known as the Black Triptychs (1972–1973), which memorialised Dyer. These works capture a deep sense of loss and grief which were themes throughout his prior career, however these topics were intensified during this period. Bacon's paintings from this era often blend violence and tenderness in surreal, nightmarish settings.
- Triptych August 1972, 1972
  Oil and sand on 3 canvases
  Each: 78in x 58in
  Total: 234in x 174in (approx.)
- Triptych August 1972, 1972
  Oil and sand on 3 canvases
  Each: 78in x 58in
  Total: 234in x 174in (approx.)
Bacon’s final works in the 1980s and early 1990s maintained his dark, existential focus but showed a growing subtlety in the representation of the human body. The figures in these later pieces, such as Study for a Self-Portrait – Triptych (1985-86), are less physically distorted than those in his earlier work, but they still retain a haunting sense of vulnerability and isolation. His palette became more restrained, and his brushwork more controlled, as if reflecting a more contemplative and reflective outlook on life and death.

In the final phase of his career, Francis Bacon moved toward a quieter, yet still profound approach to his art. His work became more personal and reflective, marked by a deep engagement with themes of loss and mortality. While his style evolved, gaining subtlety and refinement, the emotional intensity remained. Bacon's later works stand as a testament to his enduring exploration of the complexities of the human condition, capturing both the fragility and resilience of life.
- Study for a Self-Portrait - Triptych, 1985-86
  Oil and aerosol paint on canvas
  Each: 78in x 58in
  Total: 234in x 174in (approx.)
- Three Studies for Self-Portrait, 1979
  Oil on canvas
  Each: 14in x 12.5 in
  Total: 42in x 37.5in (approx.)
- Male Nude before Mirror, 1990
  Oil and pastel on canvas
  78in x 58 in
- Study of a Bull, 1991
  Oil, aerosol paint and dust on canvas
  78in x 58in