Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994), A Sail, 1969 Color Lithograph
Sam Francis (American, 1923–1994) was a California-born painter and printmaker whose work joined Abstract Expressionism with the freer handling of European Art Informel. After studying at the University of California, Berkeley, he moved to Paris in 1950 and developed an international career spanning Europe, Japan, and the United States. Francis used saturated color in floating pools and splashes, often leaving broad areas of white paper to function as active space. He became deeply engaged with printmaking during the 1960s, working with Tamarind and other major workshops to translate the transparency, layering, and physical energy of his paintings into lithographs. His work is held by the Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Pompidou, and the Idemitsu Museum of Arts.
A Sail, 1969, color lithograph on uncalendered Rives BFK wove paper by Sam Francis. The composition leaves a broad white field open at the center while fluid passages and splattered droplets of red, orange, yellow, blue, and violet gather around the edges, with denser sweeping forms along the upper left, right side, and lower margin. Printed by Serge Lozingot and published by the Tamarind Lithography Workshop, Los Angeles, the work is recorded as Tamarind catalogue no. 2583; it was issued in an edition of 20 with nine additional Tamarind impressions. This impression is signed “Sam Francis” in graphite and inscribed “Tam Imp” at lower left, with the Tamarind and Serge Lozingot blindstamps; “Tam Imp” identifies an impression retained by the workshop outside the numbered edition. The verso is annotated in graphite “Uncalendered Rives” and “2583.” Sheet measures approximately 30 x 22 inches. The sheet shows light toning and minor handling, with old mounting tape remnants at the upper verso and a small crease near the lower left corner; image presents well. Provenance of Martin and Enid Gleich.
Condition
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Dimensions
30 x 22 in
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Sam Francis (American, 1923–1994) was a California-born painter and printmaker whose work joined Abstract Expressionism with the freer handling of European Art Informel. After studying at the University of California, Berkeley, he moved to Paris in 1950 and developed an international career spanning Europe, Japan, and the United States. Francis used saturated color in floating pools and splashes, often leaving broad areas of white paper to function as active space. He became deeply engaged with printmaking during the 1960s, working with Tamarind and other major workshops to translate the transparency, layering, and physical energy of his paintings into lithographs. His work is held by the Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Pompidou, and the Idemitsu Museum of Arts.
A Sail, 1969, color lithograph on uncalendered Rives BFK wove paper by Sam Francis. The composition leaves a broad white field open at the center while fluid passages and splattered droplets of red, orange, yellow, blue, and violet gather around the edges, with denser sweeping forms along the upper left, right side, and lower margin. Printed by Serge Lozingot and published by the Tamarind Lithography Workshop, Los Angeles, the work is recorded as Tamarind catalogue no. 2583; it was issued in an edition of 20 with nine additional Tamarind impressions. This impression is signed “Sam Francis” in graphite and inscribed “Tam Imp” at lower left, with the Tamarind and Serge Lozingot blindstamps; “Tam Imp” identifies an impression retained by the workshop outside the numbered edition. The verso is annotated in graphite “Uncalendered Rives” and “2583.” Sheet measures approximately 30 x 22 inches. The sheet shows light toning and minor handling, with old mounting tape remnants at the upper verso and a small crease near the lower left corner; image presents well. Provenance of Martin and Enid Gleich.
Condition
Please review the photos for a complete understanding of condition.
Dimensions
30 x 22 in
Sale price
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
