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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$12,000
Turn, 1972
By Sam Francis
Located in Palo Alto, CA
In Turn, Sam Francis Turn, 1972, demonstrates his masterful command of color, gesture, and spatial balance—qualities that made him one of the most influential figures of postwar Amer...
Screen
$16,000Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Screen
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
Sam Francis -- Untitled (SFE-021)
By Sam Francis
Located in BRUCE, ACT
Sam Francis Untitled (SFE-021), 1984 Aquatint in colors with Chine collé on Japanese paper Signed lower right Edition 10/10 lower left Image size: 91 × 45 cm Sheet size: 112 × 65 cm...
Aquatint
Untitled, from Michael Walberg Poemes dans le Ciel (Lembark 273)
By Sam Francis
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION Sam Francis Untitled, from Michael Walberg Poemes dans le Ciel (Lembark 273) 1986 Lithograph 30 x 22 in. 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
$10,000
Deep Blue
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 Californi...
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
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
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
Sam Francis Untitled 1991 Etching in colours, Edition of 27 61.6 x 44.5 cms (24.3 x 17.5 ins) SF17884
Etching
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
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
Vegetable I, from Vegetable Series
By Sam Francis
Located in Miami, FL
Sam Francis (1923 - 1994), American) Vegetable I, from Vegetable Series 1971 Lithograph 35 x 24 in. Edition of 15 Pencil signed and numbered Samuel Lewis Francis (June 25, 1923 – November 4, 1994) was an American painter and printmaker. Early life Sam Francis was born in San Mateo, California, the son of Katherine Lewis Francis and Samuel Augustus Francis...
Lithograph
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 SFE-003 (Blue, Red and Yellow) - American Abstract Expressionism
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
SAM FRANCIS 1923-1994 San Mateo, California 1923 – 1994 Santa Monica (American) Title: Untitled SFE-003 (Blue, Red and Yellow), 1982 Technique: Original Hand Signed and Inscribed E...
Etching, Aquatint
$7,500
Damp
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Sam Francis Damp 1969 Lithograph, Edition of 20 66 x 94 cms (26 x 37 ins) SF14868
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
Lithograph
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...
Lithograph
Sam Francis - Michel Waldberg - Metaphysique Du Vid
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
Sam Francis Exhibition Poster. Color lithograph 1986 Painter and printmaker who was prominent among the group of painters known as the seco...
Lithograph
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Sam Francis Untitled 1989 Aquatint, Edition of 20 44.5 x 32.4 cms (17 1/2 x 12 3/4 ins) 22.9 x 15.2 cms (9 x 6 ins) SF15235
Aquatint
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Sam Francis Untitled 1995 Etching in colours, Edition of 35 53.3 x 45.7 cms (21 x 18 ins) SF17887
Etching
$9,000Sale Price|40% Off
Untitled, 1963
By Sam Francis
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Created circa 1963, this color lithograph on Rives BFK paper is hand signed by Sam Francis in pencil in the lower right and inscribed “Special Proof Marlene” in pencil in the lower m...
Lithograph
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Sam Francis Untitled 1968 Lithograph, Edition of 3, experimental proof 66 x 47 cms (26 x 18 1/2 ins) SF15155
Lithograph
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
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
$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
Untitled (SF-311), 1979
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
SAM FRANCIS 1923-1994 San Mateo, California 1923 – 1994 Santa Monica (American) Title: Untitled (SF-311), 1979 Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Lithograph in Colours on...
Lithograph
Ariel's Ring
By Sam Francis
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION Sam Francis Ariel's Ring 1972 Screenprint 40 3/4 × 50 5/8 in Edition of 80 Pencil signed & numbered Condition: This work is in excellent condition. F...
Screen
$24,000
Trietto III
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
SAM FRANCIS 1923-1994 San Mateo, California 1923 – 1994 Santa Monica (American) Title: Trietto III, 1991 Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Etching and Aquatint in Colour...
Etching, Aquatint
Untitled (SF-314) Michel Waldberg: Sky Poems
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
SAM FRANCIS 1923-1994 San Mateo, California 1923 – 1994 Santa Monica (American) Title: Untitled (SF-314) Michel Waldberg: Sky Poems Michel Waldberg: Poèmes dans le Ciel...
Lithograph
Untitled, 1988
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
SAM FRANCIS 1923-1994 San Mateo, California 1923 – 1994 Santa Monica (American) Title: Untitled, 1988 Technique: Original Hand Signed and Inscribed Screenprint in colours on wove p...
Screen
Untitled (Black and White Composition) - Abstract Acrylic Painting, 1988
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...
Acrylic, Paper
Untitled, 1994
By Sam Francis
Located in Palo Alto, CA
In Turn, Sam Francis Turn, 1972, demonstrates his masterful command of color, gesture, and spatial balance—qualities that made him one of the most influential figures of postwar Amer...
Lithograph
Spun for James Kirsch
By Sam Francis
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION Sam Francis Spun for James Kirsch 1972 Screenprint 30 x 22 1/2 in. Edition of 100 Pencil signed & numbered Accompanied with COA by Gregg Shienbaum Fi...
Screen
Untitled (SF-343)
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
Untitled (SF-343), 1990 Signed and numbered in pencil with publisher's chop mark Lithograph in 6 colors on PTI #120 Waterleaf paper 46.25 x 30 inches Edition of 50
Lithograph
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Sam Francis Untitled 1993 Etching in colours, Edition of 25 61.6 x 51.4 cms (24.3 x 20.2 ins) SF17886
Etching
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Sam Francis Untitled 1993 Etching in colours, Edition of 25 61.6 x 44.5 cms (24.3 x 17.5 ins) SF17885
Etching
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Sam Francis Untitled 1984 Etching and aquatint in colours, edition of 30, this is a colour trial proof 74.6 x 43.2 cms (29 3/8 x 17 ins) SF15201
Etching, Aquatint
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
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
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
Untitled SF80-1191
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
SAM FRANCIS 1923-1994 San Mateo, California 1923 – 1994 Santa Monica (American) Title: Untitled SF80-1191, 1980 Technique: Stamp Signed Acrylic on tissue thin Japan paper Paper si...
Acrylic
Untitled SF64-572 (Acrylic Watercolour)
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
SAM FRANCIS 1923-1994 San Mateo, California 1923 – 1994 Santa Monica (American) Title: Untitled SF64-572 (Acrylic Watercolour), 1964 Technique: Signed and Dated Acrylic and Waterco...
Acrylic, Watercolor
Price Upon Request
Framed
By Sam Francis
Located in Missouri, MO
Framed Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994) Edition 58/100 in pencil Lower Left Signed in pencil Lower Right 17 x 22 inches 25.5 x 30.5 inches An Abstract Expressionist* painter known ...
Color, Lithograph
Price Upon Request
Metal Field
By Sam Francis
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Created in 1972, this work is a lithograph on wove paper that is hand-signed by Sam Francis (San Mateo, 1923- Santa Monica, 1994) in pencil in the lower right margin and is numbered ...
Lithograph
Price Upon Request
Untitled SF78-94, 1978 (red acrylic)
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
SAM FRANCIS 1923-1994 San Mateo, California 1923 – 1994 Santa Monica (American) Title: Untitled SF78-94, 1978 (red acrylic) Technique: Stamp Signed Acryl...
Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Untitled (SF-315)
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
Lithograph on Rives BFK paper Frame: 44 x 35.75 in. Signed and numbered in pencil Image drawn with water tusche directly on plates Lembark 271
Lithograph