Sam Francis

Estate of the artist
Gallery Delaive, Amsterdam
Baukunst Galerie, Cologne
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Debra Burchett-Lere, Ed., Sam Francis: Catalogue Raisonné of the Canvas and Panel Paintings 1946-1994, Berkeley 2011, cat. no. SFF.1376, illustrated in color on the DVD

This work is in very good condition overall. There is evidence of light wear and handling along the edges of the canvas, particularly at the two upper corners. The canvas is slightly loose on its stretcher. There is a light surface soiling to the white painted areas of the canvas. Under close inspection and raking light, a faint horizontal stretcher bar impression is visible along the top of the canvas. Under Ultraviolet light inspection, there is no evidence of restoration. Unframed.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

"The Blue Balls paintings reflect an artist determined to bring the emotional fervor of Abstract Expressionism (especially that of Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning) forward into a brave new world of 1960's art, a world in which coolness, style, emotional understatement and formal overstatement were the paramount goals. In them, Mr. Francis progressively intensified his color, broke up and magnified his cellular vocabulary and created enormous ovoid shapes -- partly organic, partly calligraphic -- that he boldly played against great expanses of white canvas."
Roberta Smith, "Sam Francis, at the Height of His Powers," The New York Times, 7 June 1991