Head II

Head II is an figurative oil and tempera on hardboard painting by Irish-born British artist Francis Bacon, created in 1948. As the second piece in a series of six heads, it showcases Bacon's intense exploration of human form and emotion, reflecting influences from Expressionism. Painted during the winter of 1948, the work was preparatory for his November 1949 exhibition at the Hanover Gallery, London. Characterized by bold brushwork, distorted imagery, and raw psychological intensity, Head II exemplifies Bacon's mastery in capturing the unsettling depths of the human psyche, establishing his reputation as a leading figure in 20th-century art.