Francis Bacon Head with Raised Arm 1955 Expressionist Art Print

Emerging from the postwar existential crisis of the mid-20th century, this visceral composition captures the raw intensity of human emotion.

About Francis Bacon

Bacon often placed his subjects inside cage-like frames against flat, intense backgrounds. Bacon’s work is dramatic and unsettling, and it remains a landmark of post-war painting. Expressionism, which flourished in early 20th-century Germany and Austria, puts emotion before realism. The original dates from 1955. Modernist art broke with tradition in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, experimenting with colour, form and abstraction.

Styling this Francis Bacon print

With its purple palette and moody atmosphere, this Francis Bacon print brings instant personality to a wall. The tall format of “Head with Raised Arm” suits narrow walls, hallways and the space beside a doorway, and it is a natural fit for a study or living room; 18×24″ is a versatile middle size. Finish “Head with Raised Arm” with a slim walnut or black frame: its purple palette looks rich against charcoal, grey or deep green walls. For a gallery wall, pair “Head with Raised Arm” with two or three smaller purple prints, spaced 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) apart.

At a glance

• Type: Francis Bacon print
• Artist: Francis Bacon
• Year: 1955
• Style: Expressionism, Modernism
• Colours: purple
• Mood: moody
• Orientation: portrait
• Collections: Francis Bacon Prints, Expressionist Art Prints, Modernist Art Prints