Three Studies for a Crucifixion

He returned to the triptych format in 1962, with this painting, which is today seen as a marking point between his early and mature periods.

In Bacon's art, the crucifixion does not just refer to the death of Christ, but also to any image of corporeal suffering, pain, and mortification.

However, Bacon often intends his triptych works to be read as three separate scenes, not linked by temporal or spatial continuity.

In this work, the subjects of the three separate canvases do not seem to interact or interrelate, but they are shown with similar simple backgrounds: an orange floor joining a curved red wall which is pierced by black openings.

The centre panel is occupied by a bloodied human body writhing on a bed, with a white dot on the foot possibly a nail scar.