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Factum I and Factum II

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description Factum I and Factum II Overview

Robert Rauschenberg’s Factum I and Factum II are a 1957 neo-dada diptych created from combine paintings. The works feature identical subjects – a headless figure – presented with deliberately differing textures, materials, and color palettes. This exploration of duplication and variation reflects the artist's interest in challenging traditional artistic representation. They are significant examples of American modern art and appeal to viewers interested in Rauschenberg’s innovative approach to painting and his engagement with themes of identity and perception.

help Factum I and Factum II FAQ

Who painted Factum I and Factum II?

Both paintings were created in 1957 by the Irish-born British artist Francis Bacon. The word "factum" is Latin for "made" or "done." Bacon was fascinated by the concept of identical twins and the impossibility of true replication.

What do the Factum paintings depict?

The diptychs depict two portraits of a man sitting in a chair, heavily based on photographs of Pope Pius XII. The paintings feature identical compositions but contain subtle, intentional variations in brushwork and distortion. They challenge the idea of a single, definitive image.

Where are Factum I and Factum II displayed?

The two paintings were eventually separated and belong to different major museum collections. *Factum I* is housed in the Tate collection in London. *Factum II* is part of the Centre Pompidou's collection in Paris.

Why did Francis Bacon paint the same picture twice?

Bacon intentionally painted the two panels to explore how subtle differences in execution alter the emotional impact of the same subject. He used photographs as references rather than live models, critiquing the mechanical reproduction of images. This diptych format became a recurring theme in his later career.

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