Sam Francis was an American artist known for his exuberantly colorful, large-scale abstract paintings. His practice incorporated elements from Abstract Expressionism, Color Field painting, Impressionism and Eastern philosophy to create a unique style of painterly abstraction.
Influenced by Jackson Pollock and Clyfford Still, Francis is more closely associated to the work of Helen Frankenthaler, as he was more interested in the formal arrangement of the picture plane than the expressivity of the individual artist. “Painting is about the beauty of space and the power of containment,” Francis once reflected.
Born on June 25, 1923 in San Mateo, California, Francis briefly served in the US Air Force during World War II but was injured during a test flight. Returning to California, he received his BA and MA from UC Berkeley in botany and psychology before beginning to pursue a career in art. The artist traveled widely during his career, and he was closely aligned with the Art Informel movement while living abroad in Paris during the 1950s.
Francis died on November 4, 1994 in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 71. He was a founding trustee of Los Angeles’s Museum of Contemporary Art, and his paintings can be found in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Kunstmuseum Basel, and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, among others.
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$1,195
Sam Francis Abstract Lithograph, Unsigned, 1964, Pink Venus Kiki, from 1¢ Life
By Sam Francis
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Sam Francis Title: Pink Venus Kiki Portfolio: 1¢ Life Medium: Lithograph Year: 1964 Edition Size: 2000 Frame Size: 20 5/8" x 28 3/4" Sheet Size: 16 1/8" x 22 1/4" Signature: ...
Lithograph
$15,000
Sam Francis Karel Appel & Walasse Ting - lithographs, hand signed, 85/100 Framed
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
From the rare, fully signed edition of One Cent Life - only 100 examples were hand signed by the artists. Exceptional provenance from Robert Indiana's estate. Sam Francis, Karel App...
Lithograph
$1,500
Sam Francis McGovern '72 Poster (Hand signed by Sam Francis) Abstract lithograph
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
Sam Francis McGovern '72 Poster (Hand signed by Sam Francis), 1972 Photo offset poster (hand signed by Sam Francis) Signed in blue ink on the front by Sam Francis with Sam Francis co...
Lithograph, Offset
$1,295
Sam Francis Abstract Lithograph, 1964, Cloud Rock and Kayo 4 Years Old --Red Eye
By Sam Francis
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Sam Francis Title: Cloud Rock and Kayo 4 Years Old -- Red Eye Portfolio: 1¢ Life Medium: Two lithographs printed on full page sheet Date: 1964 Edition: 2000 Frame Size: 23" x...
Lithograph
$1,500
Untitled Abstract Expressionist lithograph, from Carnegie Museum (155 Lembark)
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
Sam Francis Untitled (from Fresh Air School), 1972 Lithograph on wove paper, for the Carnegie Museum of Art 15 × 22 inches Limited Edition of 6,000 (unsigned edition; there is a sepa...
Lithograph
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
Dynamic and bold color lithograph on Rives BFK. One of 20 numbered Hors Commerce impressions, aside from the edition of 176. This stunning print is signed and inscribed "H.C. 10/20" ...
Color, Lithograph
$7,500
Deluxe Hand Signed & Numbered 25/30 Cat: Lembark 155 Carnegie Museum lithograph
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
Sam Francis Untitled Abstract Expressionist lithograph (Hand Signed from the Carnegie Museum Deluxe Edition), 1972 Catalogue Raisonné: 155, Lembark Hand signed and numbered 25/30 on...
Lithograph
Senza Titolo I
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
125.5 x 135.5 cms (49.41 x 53.35 ins) Edition of 58 Signed in pencil, inscribed 'Bon a tirer'. Published by 2RC Edizioni d'Arte, Rome Printed by Vigna Antoniniana, Rome, with t...
Aquatint, Color, Etching
$9,685
Sam Francis - Abstract Expressionist lithograph, Signed/N from Wolf Kahn Estate
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
SAM FRANCIS Affiche Moderna Museet Stockholm (Catalogue Raisonne Lembark-16, p.66), 1960 Color lithograph on Rives BFK Paper with deckled edges Pencil signed lower right of center; n...
Lithograph
Untitled (SF-346)
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color lithograph on Waterleaf white wove paper. One of 25 Roman numeral impressions, aside from the Arabic numeral edition of 100. Signed and numbered ...
Color, Lithograph
$10,000
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
67.3 x 49.5 cms (26 1/2 x 19 1/2 ins) Edition of 7
Color, Lithograph
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
86.4 x 71.8 cms (34 x 28.25 ins) Edition of 17 Paper: Somerset Textured Proofs: 9 AP, I CTP (on handmade paper) Signed right, under image; numbered left, under image; publisher's chop lower right Publisher: The Litho Shop Inc., Santa Monica, California Printed by Jacob Samuel...
Aquatint, Color
An 8 Set - 7 - From the Pasadena Box
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Lithograph 38.4 x 56.5 cms (15 1/8 x 22 1/4 ins) Edition of 100
Lithograph
$11,000
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
64.8 x 46.3 cms (25 1/2 x 19 ins) Edition of 3 Paper: Rives BFK Proofs: 1 UP (Hand colored) Signed lower left, numbered lower left. Publisher: Joseph Press...
Color, Lithograph
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
114.3 x 70.5 cms (45 x 27.76 ins) Edition of 50
Color, Lithograph
Sam Francis - Mehrfarbige Spirale - Hand-Signed Etching and Aquatint, 1970
By Sam Francis
Located in Varese, IT
Sam Francis ( 1923 - 1994 ) - Mehrfarbige spirale - hand-signed etching and aquatint - 40/40, 1970 Additional informaion: Material: Etching and aquatint on paper Edited in 1970 Limi...
Paper, Etching, Aquatint
$13,000
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
86.4 x 116.8 cms (34 x 46 ins) Edition of 17 Colour Trial Proof
Color, Etching
Untitled (red down centre)
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
117 x 76 cms (46 x 30 ins) Edition of 50
Color, Lithograph
$2,800
Lt Ed. Lithograph from the Deluxe (Hand Signed) 1984 Olympic Committee portfolio
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
Sam Francis Untitled Abstract Expressionist print for the 1984 Olympics, 1982 Offset Lithograph on Parsons Diploma Parchment paper, hand signed with COA from publisher for Olympic Co...
Pencil, Lithograph, Offset
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
67.3 x 88.9 cms (26.5 x 35 ins) Edition of 50 Signed lower right, numbered lower left. Published by Nantenshi Gallery, Tokyo. Printed by Harumi Sonoyama at Gendai hanga Kobo Co...
Color, Lithograph
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Aquatint and drypoint 75.9 x 60.6 cms (29 7/8 x 23 7/8 ins) paper size 60.3 x 45.4 cms (23 3/4 x 17 7/8 ins) plate size Edition of 5
Drypoint, Aquatint
Blue Bones
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
Color lithograph on BFK Rives, 1964. Signed by the artist in pencil, lower right. This work is from an edition of 101. Printed by Emil Matthieu Atelier, Zurich. Publish by William...
Color, Lithograph
Untitled (Fondation Maeght)
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color offset lithograph on Arches. Signed and numbered 17/75 in pencil by Francis. Printed by Imprimerie Arte, Paris. Published by the Fondation Maeght...
Color, Offset
Paper Weight
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Lithograph in colors on wove paper 43.2 x 55.9 cms (17 x 22 ins) Edition of 38
Lithograph
Untitled, 1981, Sam Francis Monotype
By Sam Francis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Untitled, 1981, unique embossed monotype print on handmade paper. Created at the Institute of Experimental Printmaking by lauded American artist, Sam Francis (1923-1994). The Sam Fra...
Ink, Oil, Watercolor, Handmade Paper, Pigment, Monotype
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Aquatint, monoprint with chine collé 85.7 x 68.6 cms (33 3/4 x 27 ins) Edition of 19 variants
Aquatint, Monoprint
Untitled (CPT)
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
91.4 x 81.6 cms (36 x 32 1/8 ins) Edition of 20
Color, Aquatint
Senza Titolo III
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
125 x 135.5 cms (49.21 x 53.35 ins) Edition of 76 76 numbered impressions and 14 artist's proofs Fabriano Rosaspina paper Signed in pencil, inscribed 'Bon a tirer'. Published ...
Aquatint, Color, Etching
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
97.5 x 71.1 cms (38 3/8 x 28 ins) Edition of 50 Paper: Arches Cover Signed lower left; numbered lower right, publisher's chop lower left.\Publisher: The Litho Shop, Inc., Santa Monica, California. Printed by George Page...
Color, Lithograph
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Aquatint, monoprint with chine collé 84.5 x 68.6 cms (33 1/4 x 27 ins) Edition of 22 variants
Color, Aquatint
Blue Cut Sail
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
55.9 x 76.2 cms (22 x 30 ins) Edition of 20 Signed lower left verso, numbered lower left verso, publisher's chop lower left verso. Publisher: Tamarind Lithography Workshop, Los ...
Color, Lithograph
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Plate size: 36.8 x 27. 3 cms (14 1/2 x 10 3/4 ins) Image size: 15.2 x 9.5 cms (6 x 3 3/4 ins) Edition of 20
Aquatint
Smoke Sulfur
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
64.8 x 85.7 cms (25.5 x 33.75 ins) Edition of 30 Paper: Rives BFK Proofs: 1 BAT, 6 AP (I on Japanese paper), I CTP Signed lower right; numbered lower left; publisher's cho...
Color, Lithograph
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
74.6 x 43.2 cms (29 3/8 x 17 ins) Edition of 30 Plate: 60.3 x 25.1 cm (23 3/4 x 9 7/8 ins), Sheet: 74.6 x 43.2 cm (29 3/8 x 17 ins) Paper: Somerset Textured Edition of 30 Proofs: I BAT, 3 AP, 3 CTP Signed right, under image, numbered left, under image; publisher's chop lower right. Publisher: The Litho Shop, Inc., Santa Monica, California Printed by Jacob Samuel...
Aquatint, Color, Etching
$7,500
Damp
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
66 x 94 cms (26 x 37 ins) Edition of 20 Rives BFK paper Proofs: I BAT, 4 AP, 7 CTP, 9 XP Signed lower left; numbered lower left; publisher's chop lower left. Published by Tama...
Color, Lithograph
Sulfur Sail
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
97.5 x 66 cms (38 3/8 x 26 ins) Edition of 20
Lithograph
Yunan (State I)
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
106.7 x 72.4 cms (42 x 28 1/2 ins) Edition of 15 Paper: Arjomari Proofs: 1 BAT, 4 AP, 3 TP Signed lower right of centre; numbered lower left; publisher's chop lower right Publisher: Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles (SF71 - 407A) Printed by Lloyd Baggs, assisted by Ron Adams...
Color, Lithograph