Bacon's portraits are an interrogation on the limits of the self. Up to what degree of distortion does an individual still remain himself? To what degree of distortion does a beloved person still remain a beloved person? For how long does a cherished face growing remote through illness, through madness, through hatred, through death still remain recognizable? Where is the border beyond which a self ceases to be a self?
Bacon's portraits explore the concept of identity and its fragility, questioning how much alteration an individual can undergo before they lose their essence. This inquiry extends not only to one’s self but also to the perception of loved ones, challenging the viewer to consider the impact of significant changes such as illness or emotional turmoil on recognition and attachment.
The work provokes thought on the boundaries of identity, examining the delicate balance between familiarity and distortion. It raises profound questions about the nature of recognition and connection, urging us to reflect on how far one can change while still being fundamentally themselves or remaining beloved to others.