Francis BACON From Metropolitan Triptych  (1981)

Original color aquatint and etching on Guarro paper, the right-hand panel from Metropolitan Triptych, a printed edition after the three-part work painted from 1974 to 1977. Signed Francis Bacon in pencil, the 11th of 15 artist's proofs (AP) aside from the limited edition of 99 (there were also 15 hors commerce copies). Printed and published by Ediciones Polígrafa, Barcelona. Referenced in Sabatier, 4 and Taco,13. Image size: 385mm x 295mm. 

With full margins and in very good condition with nice strong colours, some paper loss to the reverse corners not affecting the front, a barely visible pale area in the light blue sky and small dark mark in the lower right corner (both possibly from time of printing), the print absolutely suitable for float framing with the full sheet showing if desired. A truly eye-catching example by this eternally blue-chip modern British artist.

This triptych is one of the last in a series that Bacon painted following the suicide of his long-time companion George Dyer in 1971. It shows Dyer struggling on a beach and in this panel he is under the protection of an umbrella.