Sam Francis
  • Biography
  • Artworks
  • Exhibitions
  • Movements

Sam Francis

United States • 1923 - 1994  163 followers

Color is born of the interpenetration of light and dark.

Biography

Sam Francis, one of the leading figures of Abstract Expressionism, continues to be a driving force in the global art market. His vibrant and dynamic use of color, alongside his innovative approach to the canvas, has made his work highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide. Francis's exploration of color as an emotional force and his ability to evoke depth and infinity in his paintings have solidified his legacy as a master of modern art. His works are regularly featured in prestigious galleries and auctions, with his timeless pieces continuing to draw attention and achieve significant prices in the contemporary art market.

Francis's journey into painting began after a life-changing accident during his time in the Air Force, which led to a two-year hospitalization. It was during this period that he began painting as a form of recovery. This experience deeply influenced his work, particularly his ongoing exploration of infinity and the space between objects. Francis believed the canvas should evoke a sense of heaven and depth, using color to represent the unspoken and unseen. His iconic use of white space and dynamic, fluid compositions are reflective of his desire to capture the vastness and boundlessness he felt after his accident.

Francis's work was first exhibited in 1952 in Paris at the Galerie Nina Dausset, and his subsequent exhibitions across Europe and the United States, including at renowned institutions such as the Tate Gallery in London, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, further cemented his place in the history of contemporary art. His Years in Paris exhibition at the Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume in 1995, held shortly after his passing, remains a key milestone in his artistic journey.

Today, Sam Francis's work is housed in numerous prestigious collections, including the Idemitsu Museum in Tokyo, and continues to inspire new generations of artists and collectors. His paintings, characterized by their explosive energy and emotional depth, offer a timeless contribution to the world of modern and contemporary art. Collectors continue to value Francis's exploration of color and form, making his work a highly valuable asset in the art market.

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Painting, SF 89-153, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Painting - 67 x 51 cm Painting - 26.4 x 20.1 inch

$101,824

Print, Untitled (SFE-117), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 53.5 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 21.1 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch

$3,474

Fine Art Drawings, Yea, Sam Francis

Yea

Sam Francis

Fine Art Drawings - 21 x 27 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8.3 x 10.6 x 0.4 inch

$26,354

Print, Untitled, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 64.2 x 49.2 x 0.2 cm Print - 25.3 x 19.4 x 0.1 inch

$6,229

Print, Untitled SF 221, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 70.5 x 108.5 x 0.3 cm Print - 27.8 x 42.7 x 0.1 inch

$5,870

Print, Untitled SF 351, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 76 x 56 x 0.3 cm Print - 29.9 x 22 x 0.1 inch

$4,672

Print, Untitled 2, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 84 x 64 cm Print - 33.1 x 25.2 inch

$2,156

Print, Self Portrait (SF-050), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 104.1 x 74.9 x 0.3 cm Print - 41 x 29.5 x 0.1 inch

$1,500

Print, Untitled (SF-194), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 73.5 x 56 x 0.05 cm Print - 28.9 x 22 x 0 inch

$5,391

Print, Composition Abstraite, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 103 x 70 x 0.3 cm Print - 40.6 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch

$2,995

Print, SF-267, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 106 x 75 x 0.5 cm Print - 41.7 x 29.5 x 0.2 inch

$11,380

Print, Doubled Cross SF-188, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 70 x 105 x 0.5 cm Print - 27.6 x 41.3 x 0.2 inch

$13,177

Print, Untitled, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 63 x 89.5 x 0.3 cm Print - 24.8 x 35.2 x 0.1 inch

$4,193

Print, Colors in Space, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 47 x 66 x 0.3 cm Print - 18.5 x 26 x 0.1 inch

$4,193

Print, Untitled, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 70 x 75.5 x 0.2 cm Print - 27.6 x 29.7 x 0.1 inch

$6,948

Print, Untitled, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 88.3 x 48.3 x 0.2 cm Print - 34.8 x 19 x 0.1 inch

$9,344

Print, SFE-080RC, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 56 x 76 cm Print - 22 x 29.9 inch

$10,182

Print, Untitled (SF-106A), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 72 x 102 cm Print - 28.3 x 40.2 inch

$8,984

Print, Untitled (SFE-021), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 91 x 45 x 0.1 cm Print - 35.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch

$6,948

Print, Untitled 4, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 55 x 40 cm Print - 21.7 x 15.7 inch

Sold

Print, Untitled (SF-346), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 76 x 117.5 cm Print - 29.9 x 46.3 inch

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Print, Sulfur Water (SF-86), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 71 x 48.5 cm Print - 28 x 19.1 inch

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Print, Untitled, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 56 x 76 cm Print - 22 x 29.9 inch

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Print, The Upper Red, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 50 x 65.5 x 0.3 cm Print - 19.7 x 25.8 x 0.1 inch

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Print, Swatch Watch, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 86.4 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Print - 34 x 11 x 0.1 inch

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Print, Metal Field I (SFE-2C), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 99.1 x 118.1 x 0.3 cm Print - 39 x 46.5 x 0.1 inch

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Print, Untitled (SFE-023), CTP, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 29.2 x 19.7 x 0.3 cm Print - 11.5 x 7.75 x 0.1 inch

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Print, Untitled (SFE-023), CTP, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 29.2 x 19.7 cm Print - 11.5 x 7.75 inch

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Print, Untitled, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 106.7 x 75.6 x 0.2 cm Print - 42 x 29.8 x 0.1 inch

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Print, Untitled (SF-317), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 75.9 x 55.9 x 0.3 cm Print - 29.88 x 22 x 0.1 inch

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Print, Untitled (SF-313), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 75.9 x 55.9 x 0.3 cm Print - 29.88 x 22 x 0.1 inch

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Print, Untitled (SF-313), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 75.9 x 55.9 cm Print - 29.88 x 22 inch

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Print, Untitled (SF-317), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 75.9 x 55.9 cm Print - 29.88 x 22 inch

Sold

Print, Untitled, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 76.5 x 56 x 0.2 cm Print - 30.1 x 22 x 0.1 inch

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Print, Untitled (SF-316), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 75.9 x 55.9 cm Print - 29.88 x 22 inch

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Print, Untitled, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 69.9 x 95.3 x 0.2 cm Print - 27.5 x 37.5 x 0.1 inch

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Print, Untitled, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 106.7 x 75.6 x 0.2 cm Print - 42 x 29.8 x 0.1 inch

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Print, L'Etoile (after Sam Francis), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 126.4 x 78.5 x 0.1 cm Print - 49.8 x 30.9 x 0 inch

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Print, Untitled (SF-269), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 121 x 87.5 cm Print - 47.6 x 34.4 inch

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Print, Doubled Cross (SF-188), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 69 x 105 cm Print - 27.2 x 41.3 inch

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Print, Untitled (SF-340), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 115 x 74 cm Print - 45.3 x 29.1 inch

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Print, Untitled (SF-259), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 70 x 101 cm Print - 27.6 x 39.8 inch

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Print, Chinese Planet, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 75.5 x 57.2 x 0.3 cm Print - 29.7 x 22.5 x 0.1 inch

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Print, Swatch, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 76.2 x 20.3 cm Print - 30 x 8 inch

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Print, Untitled (SF-355), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 55.9 x 76.2 x 0.3 cm Print - 22 x 30 x 0.1 inch

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Print, Untitled (SFE-089), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 80.6 x 108.6 x 0.3 cm Print - 31.75 x 42.75 x 0.1 inch

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Print, Untitled (SFE-013), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 82.6 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Print - 32.5 x 16 x 0.1 inch

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Print, Untitled (SFE-013), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 82.6 x 40.6 cm Print - 32.5 x 16 inch

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Print, Colors in Space II, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 67 x 49 x 0.2 cm Print - 26.4 x 19.3 x 0.1 inch

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Print, Untitled (SF-356), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 76 x 119 cm Print - 29.9 x 46.9 inch

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Print, Untitled (SF-267), Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 107 x 76 cm Print - 42.1 x 29.9 inch

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Print, Firewood, Sam Francis

Sam Francis

Print - 80 x 100.3 cm Print - 31.5 x 39.5 inch

Sold

Discover our selections of works by artists

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Need to know more?
What techniques did Sam Francis use?
Sam Francis used techniques such as dripping, splattering, and pouring paint onto canvas, often working with vibrant colors and large-scale formats. He was influenced by Abstract Expressionism and incorporated gestural brushwork and layered washes.
Is Sam Francis married?
Sam Francis was married five times during his life. His spouses included Vera Miller, Pontus Hultén, Teruko Yokoi, Mako Idemitsu, and Margaret Smith.
Where can I see Sam Francis's paintings?
You can see Sam Francis's paintings in major museums like the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Some of his works are also available for viewing and purchase on Artpser.