Head IV

Head IV, also known as Man with a Monkey, is a 1949 figurative portrait by Irish-born British artist Francis Bacon. Created for his first solo exhibition at the Hanover Gallery in London, this painting measures 82 by 66 centimeters and is part of a series of six works from the late 1940s. Exhibiting elements of Expressionism, Head IV conveys intense emotional impact through distorted, visceral imagery. Often viewed as an intermediate step between Bacon's Head III and Head V, it exemplifies his innovative approach to depicting the human figure with raw, unsettling power. The work is held in a private collection.