Sam Francis

Charles and Peter Gimpel, London
Private Collection, West Germany
Gimpel & Weitzenhoffer Gallery, New York
Acquired by the present owner from the above

Paris, Galerie Nina Dausset, Sam Francis: Peintures, February 1952
Hannover, Kestner-Gesellschaft, Sam Francis, April - May 1963, cat. no. 1
Edinburgh, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Sam Francis, Richard Diebenkorn: Two American Painters, Abstract and Figurative, May - June 1965, cat. no. 3
Kunsthalle Basel; Karlsruhe, Badischer Kunstverein; Amsterdam, Stedelijk Museum, Sam Francis, April - November 1968, cat. no. 2, illustrated
Paris, Centre National d’Art Contemporain, Sam Francis, December 1968 - January 1969, cat. no. 1, p. 15, illustrated

Jean-Jacques Leveque, ed., "Sam Francis: L’esprit de vertige,” Cimaise 16, No. 90, January - March 1969, p. 52, illustrated
Peter Selz, ed., Sam Francis, New York, 1975, pl. 59, p. 133, illustrated
Michel Waldberg, Sam Francis: Metaphysics of the Void, Toronto, 1987, p. 181, illustrated
Exh. Cat., Bern, Galerie Kornfeld, Sam Francis: 40 Years of Friendship - Werke 1945-1990, 1991, p. 6, illustrated
Exh. Cat., Paris, Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume, Sam Francis: Les années parisiennes 1950-1961, 1995, pp. 172-173, illustrated
Debra Burchett-Lere, ed., Sam Francis: Catalogue Raisonné of the Canvas and Panel Paintings 1946-1994, California, 2011, cat. no. 68, illustrated on DVD

This work is in good condition overall. There is evidence of wear and handling to the edges, resulting in some craquelure and dirt accumulation at the pull margins. The canvas is warping slightly at the top corners, and under raking light, some creases throughout the canvas are visible. There is a small protrusion in the canvas along the left edge, visible under close inspection. There are scattered pinpoint accretions and spots of dirt accumulation throughout. Under Ultraviolet light inspection, there are scattered areas that fluoresce darkly and appear to be the result of retouching, including two linear areas at the right center portion of the canvas, each approximately three inches long, two linear spots at the bottom right corner of the canvas, one spot approximately 8 inches from the bottom of the canvas, several spots along the bottom center edge of the canvas, and one spot along the left edge of the canvas. Framed. *Please note the auction begins at 9:30 am on November 14th.*
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.

"Painting is my silent wildfire of Bliss." - Sam Francis