Study after Velázquez’s Portrait of Pope Innocent X is one of Francis Bacon’s most representative works and one of the most powerful visual expressions of “power,” “fear,” and “existential crisis” in the 20th century. Based on Velázquez’s 1650 portrait of Innocent X, Bacon completely transforms the originally authoritative and solemn image of the pope into a “silent scream.”

By deconstructing classic portraiture, he reveals the fragility and fear behind power. He embeds humanity’s deepest psychological anguish within the framework of traditional portraiture, creating a visual tension between the sublime and the terrifying. This work became the signature image of his “Screaming Pope” series and is widely regarded as one of the most influential works in modern art concerning existential anxiety.