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Sam Francis Art

American, 1923-1994

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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Color:  White
Artist: Sam Francis
Sea Sail (SF-92)
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Lithograph in colours, 1969, on BFK Rives paper, signed and inscribed ‘AP’ in pencil, an artists’s proof aside from the standard edition of 20, printed and published by Tamarind Lith...
Category

1960s Abstract Sam Francis Art

Materials

Lithograph

People's Jade, 1971
By Sam Francis
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Created in 1971, Sam Francis People's Jade, 1971 is a color lithograph on Strathmore 100 percent rag paper hand signed by Sam Francis (San Mateo, 1923- Santa Monica, 1994) in pencil ...
Category

1970s Abstract Expressionist Sam Francis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Seal Sail (SF-92)
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Lithograph in colours, 1969, on BFK Rives paper, signed and annotated ‘AP’ in pencil, an artist’s proof aside from the standard edition of 20, printed and published by Tamarind Litho...
Category

1960s Sam Francis Art

Materials

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...
Category

20th Century Sam Francis Art

Materials

Paper, Etching, Aquatint

Untitled, 1986
By Sam Francis
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Created on 1986, Sam Francis Untitled, 1986 is a monotype in colors on hand made paper. This work is stamped with the artist’s stamp signature and Sam Francis Estate stamp on verso. ...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Sam Francis Art

Materials

Ink, Oil, Watercolor, Handmade Paper, Pigment, Monotype

UNTITLED (1969), [SF69-005], Abstract Painting by Sam Francis
By Sam Francis
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Sam Francis (1923‐1994) UNTITLED [SF69-005] acrylic on paper 104.7 x 74.9 cm (41 1/4 x 29 1/2 in) Executed in 1969 Signed and dated on the base This work is identified with the int...
Category

1960s Abstract Sam Francis Art

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

King Corpse, 1986
By Sam Francis
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Created in 1986, Sam Francis King Corpse, 1986 is a unique color trial proof screenprint on Arches cover paper hand signed by Sam Francis (San Mateo, 1923- Santa Monica, 1994) in the...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Sam Francis Art

Materials

Screen

1995 Sam Francis 'The Whiteness of the Whale' Abstract USA Serigraph
By Sam Francis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Paper Size: 20 x 16 inches ( 50.8 x 40.64 cm ) Image Size: 14.75 x 12 inches ( 37.465 x 30.48 cm ) Framed: No Condition: A: Mint Additional Details: Museum Reproduction Edition...
Category

1990s Sam Francis Art

Materials

Screen

Sun Up - Abstract Expressionism American Art Post War
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
SAM FRANCIS 1923-1994 San Mateo, California 1923 – 1994 Santa Monica (American) Title: Sun Up, 1964 Technique: Original Hand Signed and Inscribed Lithograph in Colours on BFK Rives...
Category

1960s Sam Francis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Chinese Wall
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Sam Francis Chinese Wall 1969 Lithograph, Edition of 20 76.5 x 57.2 cms (30 1/8 x 22 1/2 ins) SF15156
Category

1960s Abstract Sam Francis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled (Black and White Composition)
By Sam Francis
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A painting by Sam Francis. "Untitled (Black and White Composition)" is an abstract expressionism painting, acrylic on paper executed in black and white by American Post-War artist Sa...
Category

Late 20th Century Post-War Sam Francis Art

Materials

Acrylic

An Other Set (Y) – From the Pasadena Box
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Sam Francis An Other Set - Y (From The Pasadena Box) 1964 Lithograph, Edition of 100, experimental proof 39.4 x 57.2 cms (15.51 x 22.52 ins) SF15493
Category

1960s Abstract Sam Francis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Sulfur Sail
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
97.5 x 66 cms (38 3/8 x 26 ins) Edition of 20
Category

1960s Abstract Sam Francis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Senza Titolo II (Untitled II)
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
86 x 107 cms (33 7/8 x 42 1/8 ins) Edition of 66
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Sam Francis Art

Materials

Color, Etching

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 ...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Sam Francis Art

Materials

Aquatint, Color, Etching

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Previously Available Items
Untitled - Original Etching by Sam Francis - 1992
By Sam Francis
Located in Roma, IT
Untitled is an original modern artwork realized by Sam Francis (June 25, 1923 – November 4, 1994) in 1992. Colored etching on Fabriano paper. Hand-Signed in pencil by the artist on the lower right corner. Numbered in pencil on the lower left corner. Edition of 75 prints. Mint conditions. Sam Francis (June 25, 1923 – November 4, 1994) was an American painter and printmaker. Francis was initially influenced by the work of abstract expressionists such as Mark Rothko, Arshile Gorky and Clyfford Still. His loose style was most influenced by the work of Jackson Pollock. He later became loosely associated with a second generation of abstract expressionists, including Joan Mitchell and Helen Frankenthaler, who were increasingly interested in the expressive use of color. Between 1950 and 1958 Francis spent time and painted in Paris, the south of France, Tokyo, Mexico City, Bern and New York. His artistic development was affected by his exposure to French modern painting, Asian culture and Zen Buddhism in particular. His paintings of the 1950s...
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1990s Abstract Sam Francis Art

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Etching

Firewood
By Sam Francis
Located in Washington, DC
Sam Francis Firewood Artist: Sam Francis Medium: Screenprint on paper Title: Firewood Year: 1973 Edition: AP II/50 Sheet Size: 31 3/4" x 39 3/4" R...
Category

1970s Sam Francis Art

Materials

Screen

Firewood
Firewood
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H 31.75 in W 39.75 in
An 8 Set--4
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
Bright and striking color lithograph on Rives BFK. This early work by Francis is a printer's proof, aside from the edition of 100. Signed and inscribed "printer's proof" by the artist in pencil. Printed by Joseph Zirker at Joseph Press...
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1960s Abstract Sam Francis Art

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Blue Bones
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
Bright color lithograph on Rives BFK. Signed by Francis in pencil, from an edition of 101. Dimensions with the frame are 29 x 25 inches. Print is floating in the frame.
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Blue Bones
H 17.63 in W 13.25 in
"Yea" (Text by the poet Cid Corman)
By Sam Francis
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Sam Francis (1923-1994) is one of the most distinctive and collected 20th century abstract artists. After serving in the air force in WW II, Francis returned to his native Californ...
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1980s Abstract Sam Francis Art

Materials

Acrylic

Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
Edition of 75 aside from the artist’s proofs. Offset lithograph in colors. Printed by Imprimerie Arte, Paris Published by Fondation Maeght Editeur, Saint Paul de Vence. Lembark, L 262.
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Sam Francis Art

Materials

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Untitled
Untitled
H 40.38 in W 28.13 in D 0.1 in
Sam Francis "Sulfur Sail (SF-93)", 1969
By Sam Francis
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Sam Francis (b. 1923 - 1994) is known as one of America’s most dynamic abstract expressionist artists. Printmaking was an essential part of his practice. Similar to Robert Motherwe...
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1970s Abstract Sam Francis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Water Buffalo
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Sam Francis Water Buffalo 1964 Lithograph, edition of 50 49.5 x 38.1 cms (19 1/2 x 15 ins) SF15151
Category

1960s Abstract Expressionist Sam Francis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Water Buffalo
H 19.49 in W 15.01 in
Sulfur Sail
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
97.5 x 66 cms (38 3/8 x 26 ins) Edition of 20
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1960s Abstract Sam Francis Art

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Untitled, No. 35
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
Sam Francis Untitled, No. 35, 1963 Gouache on paper 4.50h x 5.40w in
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Untitled (SFE-031)
By Sam Francis
Located in San Francisco, CA
Original aquatint printed in 25 colors from 4 steel-faced copper plates on BFK Rives wove paper Hand-signed in pencil in the margin lower right Sam Francis. A superb artist’s proof...
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1980s Sam Francis Art

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Aquatint

Untitled (SFE-073)
By Sam Francis
Located in San Francisco, CA
Original aquatint printed in 13 colors from 1 steel-faced copper plate on chine collé (light yellow Kozo on BFK Rives wove paper) Hand-signed in pencil in the margin lower right Sam...
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Sam Francis art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Sam Francis art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, purple, orange and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Sam Francis in lithograph, etching, aquatint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Sam Francis art, so small editions measuring 6 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Robert Motherwell, Paul Jenkins, and Theodoros Stamos. Sam Francis art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $70 and tops out at $950,000, while the average work can sell for $8,000.

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