“Stop to see this fascinating portrait of Francis Bacon, where the artist's face seems to shatter and reform. It's a powerful example of how printmaking can capture psychological intensity and challenge traditional ideas of likeness.”
This striking portrait of fellow artist Francis Bacon immediately grabs your attention with its fragmented, almost shattered appearance. The face, rendered through a screenprint over a collotype, seems to be dissolving, creating a sense of unease and psychological depth. Look closely at how the lines and tones break apart, suggesting not just a physical likeness but an internal state, perhaps reflecting Bacon's own intense and often unsettling artistic vision. The blurred edges and distorted features challenge traditional portraiture, inviting you to consider the complexities of identity and perception. It’s a powerful example of how artists in the late 20th century pushed boundaries, using new printmaking techniques to explore the human form in radical ways.
- Artist
- Richard Hamilton
- Date
- 1970
- Medium
- Screenprint over collotype on cream wove paper
- Location
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Dimensions
- Image: 54.8 × 49.7 cm (21 5/8 × 19 5/8 in.); Sheet: 82 × 69.1 cm (32 5/16 × 27 1/4 in.)
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The way Bacon's face appears to be breaking into pieces.
Notice the subtle blending of screenprint and collotype techniques.
The intense, almost confrontational gaze of the subject.
The stark contrast between light and shadow on the face.
1 more detail is waiting.
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