Francis Bacon: Three Studies for a Self-Portrait

Technique

Color lithograph (single sheet) in a triptych, printed on Arches paper

Year of Production

1990

Edition

E.A. (Épreuve d'Artiste / Artist's Proof) in addition to the regular edition of 60.

Signature

Hand-signed by the artist in pencil

Publisher

Michel Archimbaud
Librairie Séguier, Paris

Framed Size

120.5 × 68.5 cm

Catalogue Raisonné Listings

• Bruno Sabatier, "Francis Bacon: The Graphic Work," No. 26

• Alexandre Tacou, "Francis Bacon: Estampes," No. 28

Condition

Colors are vibrant and deep, with no defects such as stains, creases, or fading.

This work is currently stored by our partner gallery in France. While its condition is rated as good by local (French) standards, please be aware that assessment criteria for aged items may differ between France and Japan. We kindly ask you to consider the natural signs of aging expected in a vintage item (such as stains, discoloration, creases, wrinkles, tanning, etc.) before making a purchase. Please note that we have not physically inspected the item ourselves. **More detailed condition photos are available upon request, so please do not hesitate to contact us before purchasing.** The artwork is currently stored in France, and delivery after an order is placed will take more than two weeks. Due to the nature of the artwork, returns are not accepted after purchase.

About the Artwork

**"Three Studies for a Self-Portrait"** is a representative print created in 1990, during Francis Bacon's later years. The theme of self-portraiture is one of the most crucial motifs for understanding Bacon's art, and this work can be considered the culmination of that exploration.

Bacon produced numerous portraits from a young age, but after the successive loss of close friends and lovers from the 1970s onwards, he turned to self-portraits as if to re-examine himself. He stated, "I painted myself because I had fewer models to paint," but beneath these words lay a deep interest in universal themes such as human existence, the passage of time, aging, and solitude.

In this work, three self-portraits are arranged on a single canvas. The triptych was a composition Bacon favored throughout his life, and by depicting a single person from different angles or in different psychological states, he expressed the complexity of human existence rather than a mere portrait. Subtle differences in gaze, distortions of the face, and changes in color evoke the passage of time and internal fluctuations, creating intense tension within a seemingly quiet composition.

Bacon's self-portraits lack the realism found in typical portraiture. Faces are boldly distorted, outlines waver, and bodies are depicted as if in flux. However, this distortion is not meant to deny reality, but rather to create a unique form that expresses a spirituality and life energy that cannot be captured by photography. Bacon himself aimed to depict "existence itself," not just "appearance."

Color is also a significant charm of this work. Vibrant oranges and pinks, deep blues and blacks are exquisitely balanced to make the figures stand out. The contrast between bold color fields and empty spaces draws the viewer's gaze to the self-portraits, further accentuating the figures' solitude and quiet tension.

This work is an **Artist's Proof (Épreuve d'Artiste)**, created separately from the regular edition of 60, making it a rare edition with extremely limited market availability. Artist's Proofs are special prints created before the main edition and are highly valued by collectors and museums worldwide due to their scarcity.

The work was published by **Librairie Séguier** in Paris, under the企画 of **Michel Archimbaud**, a renowned art critic and writer. Created as part of important publishing activities related to Bacon, this work holds a significant place not only for its perfection as a print but also for its art historical importance.

"Three Studies for a Self-Portrait" is a work that condenses Bacon's lifelong pursuit of the question, "What is the self?" Combining artistic merit, rarity, and art historical significance, this work is one of the most highly regarded masterpieces among Francis Bacon's prints and possesses value worthy of a long-term collection.