Triptych, 1976

British-Irish artist Francis Bacon created this Triptych, 1976 as the centerpiece for his landmark 1977 exhibition at Galerie Claude Bernard in Paris. The three-panel composition draws on classical Greek mythology, referencing Prometheus and featuring symbolic harpies that represent the artist's existential anxieties and creative demons.

The work synthesizes motifs from across Bacon's career into his most ambitious and mysterious triptych. Unlike his earlier crucifixion studies that employed Christian symbolism, this painting confronts his private artistic struggles through classical allegory. Each panel measures 78 by 58 inches, rendered in oil and pastel with characteristic distorted figures.

Russian businessman Roman Abramovich acquired the work at Sotheby's in May 2008 for $86.3 million, exceeding the $70 million estimate. It ranks as the second-highest price ever paid for a Bacon painting.