Francis Bacon (1909-1992), Three studies for a Self-portrait. Photo by courtesy of Christie's

three lithographs in colours printed on one sheet, 1981, on Arches paper, signed in pencil, numbered 42/150 (there were also 25 hors commerce impressions and 10 artist's proofs), printed by Arts Litho, Paris, with their blindstamp, published by Éditions de la Différence, Paris, the full sheet, in good condition. Image: 325 x 280 mm. (each). Paper: 470 x 1035 mm. Estimate GBP 18,000.00 - 25,000.00

Literature: Bruno Sabatier, Francis Bacon: The Graphic Work, no. 15.

Notes: ‘I loathe my own face, but I go on painting it only because I haven’t got any other people to.’

Bacon’s earliest self-portraits were realised in the early 1950’s and it would remain an important subject throughout his career. Often based on photographs taken in photo-booths, Bacon claimed that the use of the triptych format to present his features from various angles referenced police records in which the subject is photographed in three contrasting positions – right profile, full-face and three-quarter-view, like in Three Studies for a Self-portrait. This searing and profound series of self-portraits, of which the original painting is in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, is perhaps one of his greatest, perfectly embodying ‘the living quality’ which Bacon strove to capture.

Christie's. ONLINE AUCTIONS – FRANCIS BACON: THE COMPLETE PRINTS