Lot 3432 - A213 Post-War & Contemporary - Thursday, 26. June 2025, 03.00 PM
SAM FRANCIS
(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)
Untitled (SFP 92-22). 1992.
Acrylic on canvas, fully laid down on wooden construction.
With the signature stamp on the reverse: Sam Francis, as well as with the estate stamp: The Sam Francis Estate. Also with a handwritten note: SF (3293 STUDIE 6# SF.
189 × 63 × 4.5 cm.
Provenance:
- Galerie Lovers of Fine Art, Gstaad.
- Private collection, Switzerland.
- Private collection, Switzerland, by descent.
Exhibited:
Debra Burchett-Lere (ed.): Sam Francis: Online Catalogue Raisonné Project.
cr.samfrancisfoundation.org/, no. SFF.1691 (Francis Archive SFP92-22).
"Painting is about the beauty of space and the power of containment." Sam Francis
Space and its containment through colour are central themes in the oeuvre of the American painter Sam Francis. In his early work in particular, we see the expansion of depth into seemingly infinite space, as in the work offered here from 1962 (lot 3429). Here, the clear delimitation of the colour fields in the foreground allows the viewer to immerse themselves directly in the picture. The work, executed in gouache and acrylic on firm paper, reflects Francis' early interest in the dynamic interaction of colour fields. The interplay between floating, transparent red and black colour fields and the fine, lightning-like splashes and drips of colour in red, blue and yellow underlines the visual energy of the work.
Sam Francis only found his way to art after being injured while serving in the Second World War. Flat on his back, he watched the play of light on the ceiling with fascination. When he was finally discharged, he decided to change his life and devote himself entirely to art. Sam Francis found his personal style in the 1950s, when he also spent some time in Paris and Japan. He combined Action Painting and Colour Field Painting, drawing on Abstract Expressionism with Tachism and the influences of Japanese art and calligraphy to create his own intensely colourful visual language.
Two further works in this auction are representative of Francis' late work. The work from 1990 (lot 3431) exemplifies Francis' free, expressive painting style, creating an energetic and lively atmosphere through a more homogeneous application of the colour yellow. The use of acrylic on paper enables a finer control of the colour areas and a more subtle coordination of the nuances of colour. This demonstrates Francis' ongoing search for a universal language of colour that conveys both emotional depth and meditative calm.
The work from 1992 (lot 3432), executed in acrylic on canvas laid on panel, marks a return to the use of powerful colour fields. The use of acrylic on a sturdy support reinforces the presence of the work in space and underlines Francis' passion for the materiality of painting. The composition is often characterised by a dynamic balance between organic forms, which emphasises the complexity of his abstract visual language.
Overall, the works offered here illustrate the continuous development of Francis' style, ranging from an expressive arrangement of colour to a more subtle, meditative colour composition, and demonstrate his importance as a significant exponent of 20th century abstract art.
Space and its containment through colour are central themes in the oeuvre of the American painter Sam Francis. In his early work in particular, we see the expansion of depth into seemingly infinite space, as in the work offered here from 1962 (lot 3429). Here, the clear delimitation of the colour fields in the foreground allows the viewer to immerse themselves directly in the picture. The work, executed in gouache and acrylic on firm paper, reflects Francis' early interest in the dynamic interaction of colour fields. The interplay between floating, transparent red and black colour fields and the fine, lightning-like splashes and drips of colour in red, blue and yellow underlines the visual energy of the work.
Sam Francis only found his way to art after being injured while serving in the Second World War. Flat on his back, he watched the play of light on the ceiling with fascination. When he was finally discharged, he decided to change his life and devote himself entirely to art. Sam Francis found his personal style in the 1950s, when he also spent some time in Paris and Japan. He combined Action Painting and Colour Field Painting, drawing on Abstract Expressionism with Tachism and the influences of Japanese art and calligraphy to create his own intensely colourful visual language.
Two further works in this auction are representative of Francis' late work. The work from 1990 (lot 3431) exemplifies Francis' free, expressive painting style, creating an energetic and lively atmosphere through a more homogeneous application of the colour yellow. The use of acrylic on paper enables a finer control of the colour areas and a more subtle coordination of the nuances of colour. This demonstrates Francis' ongoing search for a universal language of colour that conveys both emotional depth and meditative calm.
The work from 1992 (lot 3432), executed in acrylic on canvas laid on panel, marks a return to the use of powerful colour fields. The use of acrylic on a sturdy support reinforces the presence of the work in space and underlines Francis' passion for the materiality of painting. The composition is often characterised by a dynamic balance between organic forms, which emphasises the complexity of his abstract visual language.
Overall, the works offered here illustrate the continuous development of Francis' style, ranging from an expressive arrangement of colour to a more subtle, meditative colour composition, and demonstrate his importance as a significant exponent of 20th century abstract art.
CHF 60 000 / 90 000 | (€ 61 860 / 92 780)
Sold for CHF 75 000 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.