Francis Bacon - Portrait Of Innocent X

Question 1

Subject matter

Answer 1

‘The Screaming Pope’ was based on Velazquez’s portrait of 1650 and is considered to be Bacon’s masterpiece.
Velazquez’s portrait is very skilful work as it conveys the dignity and authority of the pope, the most powerful figure in the world at the time whilst subtly revealing the suspicions and doubts of the inner man.
Bacon was obsessed by this image and painted around 45 variations between 1951 and 1965.

Question 2

Style

Answer 2

Expressively painted, stylised portrait.

Question 3

Media Handling/Skills

Answer 3

Oils applied expressively leaving areas of the canvas bare, it is rushed and panicked which adds to the nightmarish atmosphere as if the artist is in pain or panicked.

Question 4

Composition

Answer 4

Focal point is the pope who is screaming.
There is perspective because of the way the line has been drawn suggesting a box is around him.
Leading lines are used to add impact and importance to the pope, vertically from the top and bottom of his rope.

Question 5

Mood

Answer 5

Mood is nightmarish and looks like a man is sitting in a chair screaming as he gets sucked into the air, the mood is enhanced by dark colours and the way the paint has been applied quickly and expressively.
Religious and symbolic of how he feels about authority and the Catholic Church.

Question 6

Line

Answer 6

Line is used thickly, expressively and quickly which gives the picture a feeling of movement adding to the idea that the pope is being sucked into the air.
The yellow lines around the pope suggests he is being boxed in somehow.

Question 7

Colour

Answer 7

Colours are limited, mainly dark black and browns used in background.
Uses symbolic colours on the pope such as purples, yellow and white which may reflect colours of royalty or importance or in the Catholic Church humility and simplification.
Chair suggests this because it is more like a throne.
Purple and yellow are complimentary colours so they stand out against the background.
Garish colour palette adds to scary mood.

Question 8

Texture and pattern

Answer 8

Expressive lines are repeated to create a draping pattern of the curtains in the background.
The way the paint is handled also adds to the expressive mark making texture of the image.