Francis Bacon was an Attorney General, Philosopher, scientist, and most importantly and artist. In the 1940's and 1950's Francis made himself known with his distinctive style in figurative art. His most iconic pieces were post-war and depicted trauma within in society. Most people he painted were distorted as if they were meat, having an existential crisis, souls in agony. Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion were exhibited in 1994 during the final weeks of WW2. These pieces show self-destruction, and war that is brought upon ourselves. The first painting in his series of crucifixions appears as sorrowful, the second seems pained and disgusted, while the third is hateful. Each has a different emotion radiating from them yet they are all so similar. They have the fiery backgrounds of fire or hell, distorted bodies, grey  almost lifeless looking skin. Maybe Francis was trying to understand what crucifixion really was, what it felt like. 

http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/bacon-three-studies-for-figures-at-the-base-of-a-crucifixion-n06171

http://www.theartstory.org/artist-bacon-francis.htm