Born in San Mateo, California, in 1923, Sam Francis served in the US Air Force corps during World War II, later earning degrees in psychology and botany at UC Berkeley. Moving to Paris in the 1950s, he encountered Monet’s Waterlilies, which proved lastingly influential to his art’s scale and sensitivity to light, color, and abstract art. The artist also traveled extensively – to Tokyo, Mexico City, and New York to name a few – and became familiar with non-Western philosophy. His work evolved from monochromatic abstractions to rich chromatic murals to his iconic “open” paintings: in which vividly hued splashes and drips of color are punctuated by expanses of white. These abstract expressionist paintings became synonymous with Francis’s work, as the movement came to be defined alongside him. After his painting Big Red was included in the exhibition Twelve Artists at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1956, the artist enjoyed increasing critical success. Beginning in the 1960s Francis lived and worked in Los Angeles, and except for a stay in Japan in the mid-1970s, he returned to California and became a community leader in the art scene there. Francis would open the Litho Shop in Santa Monica, which became a printmaking studio for himself and local artists alike. Francis was also a founding trustee of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and has his work in its permanent collection, as he does at the Kunstmuseum, Basel; the Centre Pompidou, Paris; and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, among others. Regardless of his international scope, the West Coast would remain his home until his death in 1994. His large-scale abstract paintings, sculptures, and prints are valued for his singular aesthetic vision, a confluence of New York School, Color Field, Japanese Zen, and Chinese calligraphy painting. According to Sotheby’s Mei Moses Art Indices, the average compound annual return for a Sam Francis resold at auction between 2003 and 2017 was 6.1%, and an impressive 81.9% of 166 such works increased in value. The top three record prices for Sam Francis at auction are: $11.8 million for Summer #1, 1957, at Sotheby's New York, 11 May 2016 $6.4 million for Middle Blue, 1957, at Christie's New York, 11 May 2010 $5.2 million for Black, 1955, at Christie's New York. 13 May 2008

Sam Francis

The Now and Contemporary Evening Auction

Expanding Horizons: The Hedreen Collection

Expanding Horizons: The Hedreen Collection Sam Francis 1923 - 1994 Towards Disappearance I oil on canvas 108 ⅛ by 126 ¼ in. 274.6 by 321 cm. Executed in 1958.

towards disappearance i

Contemporary Day Auction

Sam Francis 1923 - 1994 Demon Series signed, dated 1960 and inscribed Tokyo (on the verso) acrylic, watercolor and gouache on paper 22 by 29 ¾ in. 55.9 by 75.6 cm. Executed in 1960.

demon series

Untitled SF64-572, by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Sam+Francis&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Francis</a>, 1964.<ul><li>Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994).</li><li>Acrylic and watercolor on paper.</li><li>Hand signed and dated.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> This acrylic painting with watercolor on wove paper is hand signed and dated in pencil “Sam Francis 1964” on the verso and it bears the ink stamp of the Sam Francis Estate, additionally at the verso. This work is identified with the interim identification number of SF64-572 in consideration for the forthcoming Sam Francis: Catalogue Raisonné of Unique Works on Paper.

Untitled SF64-572

Untitled SFE-003 (Blue, Red and Yellow), by<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Sam+Francis&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Sam Francis</a>, 1982.<ul><li>Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994).</li><li>Inscribed etching and aquatint in colors on Somerset Wove paper.</li><li>Hand-signed.</li><li>Part of an edition of 20.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> This original etching and aquatint in colors is hand signed by the artist in pencil "Sam Francis" at the lower right margin. It is also hand inscribed in pencil “CTP” [Color Trial Proof] at the lower left margin.&nbsp;This impression is one of twelve color trial proofs in various tones aside from the standard edition of 20. The standard edition was published by The Litho Shop Inc., Santa Monica, California in 1982. This subject is recorded in the Sam Francis Archive with the identification number SFE-003.

Untitled SFE-003 (Blue, Red and Yellow)

Untitled (SF-311), by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Sam+Francis&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Francis</a>, 1979.<ul><li>Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994).</li><li>Lithograph in colors on wove paper.</li><li>Hand signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 24, this being 11.</li><li>Printed by George Page at The Litho Shop, Santa Monica.&nbsp;</li><li>Published by The Litho Shop, Santa Monica.&nbsp;</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> This lithograph in colors is hand signed by the artist in pencil "Sam Francis" at the lower left image. It is also hand numbered from the edition of 24, at the lower right image. It was printed and published by George Page, master printer at The Litho Shop, which Francis founded in Santa Monica, California.&nbsp;The paper bears a blindstamp of the publisher at the lower right image.

Untitled (SF-311)

Untitled (SFS-89) by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=sam+francis&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Francis</a>, 1989.<ul><li>Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994).</li><li>Monotype in colors on Arches Wove paper.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> This original monotype is stamped with the estate’s stamp, verso. The paper bears the Arches watermark in the lower left corner.

Untitled (SFS-89)

Untitled (SF 353)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Sam+Francis&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Francis</a>, 1992.<ul><li>Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994).</li><li>Lithograph on BFK Rives paper.</li><li>Signed and numbered in pencil.</li><li>From the Papierski Portfolio.</li><li>Artist Proof.</li><li>Published and printed by The Litho Shop, Inc., Santa Monica.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul>

Untitled (SF 353)

Untitled (SF 351)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Sam+Francis&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Francis</a>, 1992.<ul><li>Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994).</li><li>Lithograph on BFK Rives paper.</li><li>Signed and numbered in pencil.</li><li>Part of an edition of 50, AP.</li><li>Published and printed by The Litho Shop, Inc., Santa Monica.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul>

Untitled (SF 351)

Untitled SF75-040 [Mandala], by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Sam+Francis&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Francis</a>, 1975.<ul><li>Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994).</li><li>Acrylic on wove paper.</li><li>Stamp signed and dated.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> This work is stamp signed with the two ink stamps of the Sam Francis Estate on the verso. It is identified with the interim identification number of SF75-040 in the Sam Francis: Online Catalogue Raisonné Project.

Untitled SF75-040 [Mandala]

Untitled SFE-003 (Light Blue) by <a href="Sam Francis" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Francis</a>, 1982.<ul><li>Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994).</li><li>Etching and aquatint in colors on Somerset Wove paper.</li><li>Hand-signed and inscribed.</li><li>This impression is one of twelve color trial proofs in various tones aside from the standard edition of 20.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> This etching and aquatint in colors is hand signed by the artist in pencil "Sam Francis" at the lower right margin. It is also hand inscribed in pencil “CTP” [Color Trial Proof] at the lower left margin. The standard edition was published by The Litho Shop Inc., Santa Monica, California in 1982. This subject is recorded in the Sam Francis Archive with the identification number SFE-003. Please note: This item is excluded from complimentary shipping. Shipping quote will be calculated at time of purchase.

Untitled SFE-003 (Light Blue)

Untitled (SF221) by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Sam+Francis&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Francis</a>, 1977.<ul><li>Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994).</li><li>Lithograph on BFK Rives paper.</li><li>Signed and numbered in pencil.</li><li>Part of an edition of 20, this being number 9.</li><li>Published and printed by The Litho Shop, Santa Monica.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> A signed and numbered abstract print by Sam Francis. This bold composition is made up entirely of black on white and lithographed onto BFK Rives paper.

Untitled (SF221)

Untitled (SFE 118)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Sam+Francis&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Francis</a>, 1993-94.<ul><li>Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994).</li><li>Aquatint.</li><li>Numbered in pencil and signature embossed.</li><li>Edition 4/20.</li><li>Published and printed by The Litho Shop, Santa Monica.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul>

Untitled (SFE 118)

Sun Up, 1964 by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Sam+Francis&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Francis</a>.<ul><li>Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994).</li><li>Published by Kornfeld and Klipstein, Bern, 1964.</li><li>Lithograph in colors on BFK Rives Wove paper.</li><li>Hand signed and inscribed.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> This original lithograph in colors is hand signed by the artist in pencil "Sam Francis" at the lower right image. It is also hand inscribed “artist’s proof” in pencil next to the signature. This is an artist’s proof, aside from the standard edition of 75. This subject is recorded in the Sam Francis Archive with the identification number SF-63. Please note: This item is excluded from complimentary shipping. Shipping quote will be calculated at time of purchase.

Sun Up, 1964

Untitled (SFE-081), by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=sam+francis&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Francis</a>, 1992.<ul><li>Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994).</li><li>Aquatint in colors on Wove paper.</li><li>Hand signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 76.</li><li>Printed by 2RC Edizioni d'Arte, Rome.</li><li>Published by Vigna Antoniniana Stamperia d'Arte, Rome.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul>

Untitled (SFE-081)

Untitled (SF 355)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Sam+Francis&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Francis</a>, 1992.<ul><li>Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994).</li><li>From the Papierski Portfolio.</li><li>Lithograph on BFK Rives paper.</li><li>Signed and numbered in pencil.</li><li>Part of an edition of 50, AP.</li><li>Published and printed by The Litho Shop, Inc., Santa Monica.</li><li>This work is presented framed.</li></ul>

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