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FRANCIS, SAM

* 25.6.1923 San Mateo, † 4.11.1994 Santa Monica

Sam Francis first found art because of an injury during the Second World War. Lying flat on his back due to a spinal injury, he watched the play of light on the ceiling with fascination. When he was finally discharged, he decided to change his life. Born in California in 1923, Francis first studied medicine and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, before enlisting in the war as a US fighter pilot. After his recovery, he turned to art and studied art history and fine arts at the same university from 1948 to 1950.

Sam Francis found his personal style in the 1950s, during which he spent some time in Paris and Japan. He combined Action Painting and Colour Field Painting, from Abstract Expressionism with Tachism and the influences of Japanese art and calligraphy. His painting is characterised by saturated colour and painterly spontaneity. Included in the ranks of the young European avant-garde, his paintings were then shown at exhibitions in Paris, London, and Bern. His participation in the 1956 exhibition "Twelve Americans" at the New York Museum of Modern Art also made Francis known in America. This was the period of a stylistic change from extensive compositions in monochrome values to bright 'islands of colour' on the white canvas. In the 1960s Francis moved back to California and developed a very personal form of spontaneous and gestural dripping. He directed the oil, acrylic, and watercolour paints across the picture surface with circling and splashing movements. In his "grid paintings" of the 1970s, the picture surface is covered with net-like structures. In addition to "Action Painting", he also turned to other techniques such as lithography, etching and monotype. His last artistic phase was greatly determined by large commissioned works for murals. Sam Francis died on 4.11.1994 in Santa Monica.

Works from our auctions

Works by this artist from our auctions

Following are some examples of works by this artist from our past and future auctions.
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Lot 3443 - Z34 PostWar & Contemporary - Saturday 22 June 2013, 04.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Ohne Titel. 1962-64. (SFP 64-31).

Öl auf Leinwand.

Verso mit Stempel und Stempelsignatur des Estates.

61 x 91 cm.

CHF 50 000 / 70 000 | (€ 51 550 / 72 160)

Sold for CHF 112 800 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3412 - Z41 PostWar & Contemporary - Saturday 03 December 2016, 02.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Drift II. 1976.

Watercolour, gouache and acrylic on paper.

Signed on the reverse: Sam Francis, also inscribed with the archive number: SF76-026.

58 x 82 cm

CHF 40 000 / 60 000 | (€ 41 240 / 61 860)

Sold for CHF 78 500 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3228 - Z21 Impressionist & Modern Art - Friday 08 December 2006, 05.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. Um 1986.

Acryl auf Papier.

Verso Stempel der Sam Francis Estate. Werk-Nummer SF86-798.

76 x 57 cm.

CHF 30 000 / 40 000 | (€ 30 930 / 41 240)

Sold for CHF 66 000 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3470* - A197 PostWar & Contemporary - Thursday 01 July 2021, 05.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1994.

Acrylic on canvas.

With the estate stamp on the reverse: The Sam Francis Estate, as well as with the archive number (twice) on the overlap: SFP94-80, and the inscribed date by the studio's assistant: 7-25-94.

35.6 × 45.8 cm.

CHF 30 000 / 40 000 | (€ 30 930 / 41 240)

Sold for CHF 56 420 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3417* - A201 PostWar & Contemporary - Thursday 30 June 2022, 05.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled.

Acrylic on paper.

With the stamped signature and the estate stamp on the reverse: Sam Francis, "The Sam Francis Estate", as well as with the archive's number: SF85-492, S2-17w.

73 × 47.5 cm.

CHF 40 000 / 60 000 | (€ 41 240 / 61 860)

Sold for CHF 49 100 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3735 - A193 PostWar & Contemporary - Saturday 04 July 2020, 02.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1991.

Watercolour and acrylic on wove paper.

On the reverse with the signature stamp: Sam Francis, as well as with the stamp: The Sam Francis Estate, the archive number and signature: SF91-4 PR.S / jj3 1991 PR.S Margaret Francis.

61 × 47 cm.

CHF 20 000 / 30 000 | (€ 20 620 / 30 930)

Sold for CHF 47 880 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3292* - Z22 Impressionist & Modern Art - Sunday 22 July 2007, 05.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

SF87-074. 1987.

Acryl auf Papier.

Signaturstempel.

73 x 55 cm.

CHF 18 000 / 26 000 | (€ 18 560 / 26 800)

Sold for CHF 43 200 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3736 - A193 PostWar & Contemporary - Saturday 04 July 2020, 02.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1990.

Watercolour and acrylic on Japan paper.

On the reverse with the stamp: The Sam Francis Estate, as well as with the archive number: S4 45K / SF90 - 127.

60.5 × 45.2 cm.

CHF 18 000 / 24 000 | (€ 18 560 / 24 740)

Sold for CHF 36 900 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3381 - Z21 Prints & Multiples - Friday 08 December 2006, 01.30 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

The white line. 1960.

Lithographie, bezeichnet: épreuve d'essai. Unten rechts signiert: Sam Francis. Darstellung randabfallend auf BFK Rives 90,8 x 63,2 cm. Sehr schöner Zustand.

CHF 3 000 / 4 000 | (€ 3 090 / 4 120)

Sold for CHF 36 000 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3449* - Z34 PostWar & Contemporary - Saturday 22 June 2013, 04.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Ohne Titel (SF 68-013). 1968.

Gouache und Aquarell auf Papier.

Verso signiert und datiert sowie mit dem Stempel des Sam Francis estate, dort handschriftlich bezeichnet "S245AA" sowie "68-013".

30,4 x 45,2 cm.

CHF 28 000 / 38 000 | (€ 28 870 / 39 180)

Sold for CHF 33 000 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3433* - A195 PostWar & Contemporary - Saturday 05 December 2020, 02.30 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled (Tokyo Sculpture). 1966.

Acrylic on paper.

Signed, dated and with measurements on the reverse: Sam Francis 1966 Tokyo Sculpture.

40.5 × 31 cm.

CHF 30 000 / 50 000 | (€ 30 930 / 51 550)

Sold for CHF 25 920 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3411 - Z41 PostWar & Contemporary - Saturday 03 December 2016, 02.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1976.

Gouache and watercolour on paper.

Signed and dated on the reverse: Sam Francis 1976, also with the archive number inscribed: SF 76-230.

30 x 40 cm.

CHF 15 000 / 25 000 | (€ 15 460 / 25 770)

Sold for CHF 24 500 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3469 - A197 PostWar & Contemporary - Thursday 01 July 2021, 05.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1964.

Acrylic on paper.

Signed on the reverse: Sam Francis.

10.3 × 13.9 cm.

CHF 6 000 / 8 000 | (€ 6 190 / 8 250)

Sold for CHF 23 480 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3530 - A181 PostWar & Contemporary - Saturday 01 July 2017, 01.30 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1987.

Acrylic on vélin.

On the reverse with the stamped signatur: Sam Francis, as well as with the estate stamp. Furthermore with the handwritten numbers: S1-91I SF-87.

68 x 51.5 cm.

CHF 7 000 / 9 000 | (€ 7 220 / 9 280)

Sold for CHF 14 900 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3422* - A207 PostWar & Contemporary - Thursday 30 November 2023, 02.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled.

Watercolour and gouache on paper with perforated side margin.

With the signature stamp on the reverse: Sam Francis, as well as with the estate stamp: The Sam Francis Estate. With the hand written Litho Shop identification numbers: SF60-1299 SF90-250 S1 17R.

26 × 15.5 cm.

CHF 8 000 / 14 000 | (€ 8 250 / 14 430)

Sold for CHF 11 250 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3770* - A189 Prints & Multiples - Saturday 29 June 2019, 10.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Bright Jade Ghost. 1963.

Lot of 5 colour lithographs, in all five colour variations. I25/125, II49/125, III74/125, IV28/125 and V12/125. Each signed in pencil lower right: Sam Francis. Sheet size 55.9 x 90.2 cm on wove paper by BFK Rives (with the watermark). Published by Kornfeld & Klipstein, Bern. Printed by Emil Matthieu Atelier, Zurich.

CHF 9 000 / 14 000 | (€ 9 280 / 14 430)

Sold for CHF 10 625 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3451* - Z29 PostWar & Contemporary - Friday 03 December 2010, 05.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Trietto 3. 1991.

Farbaquatinta.

Untenr echts signiert: Sam Francis. Zudem unten links nummeriert: 35/66. Unten links mit dem Trockenstempel der Vigna Antoniniana Stamperia d' arte.

68,4 x 98,3 cm (Darstellung).

CHF 7 500 / 8 500 | (€ 7 730 / 8 760)

Sold for CHF 9 000 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3702 - A183 Prints & Multiples - Saturday 09 December 2017, 10.30 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1979.

Colour monotyp with dry pigments and oil. Signed in pencil lower centre: Sam Francis, also verso inscribed: EXP-SF-12-#3-79. Sheet size 66 x 78 cm on handmade paper.

CHF 8 000 / 12 000 | (€ 8 250 / 12 370)

Sold for CHF 8 750 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3535* - Z29 Prints & Multiples - Friday 03 December 2010, 10.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Senza titolo III. 1987.

Aquatinta und Kaltnadelradierung 72 / 76. Unten rechts signiert: Sam Francis. Platte 88,6 x 99,1 cm auf Fabriano 120 x 147 cm. Verlegt von 2RC Edizioni d' Arte, Rom (unten links mit dem Blindprägestempel). Gedruckt von Raffaele D' Orsogna, Romeo Ramos und Stefano Schiavo, Vigna Antoniniana Stamperia d' Arte, Rom (unten links mit dem Blindprägestempel).

CHF 6 000 / 7 000 | (€ 6 190 / 7 220)

Sold for CHF 7 200 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3673 - A187 Prints & Multiples - Saturday 08 December 2018, 10.30 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1963.

Colour screen print. Épreuve d'artiste, artist's proof outside the edition of 40. Signed in pencil lower centre: Sam Francis. Sheet size 66.4 x 92 cm. Published by Tamarind Lithography Workshop, Los Angeles. Printed by Irwin Hollander at Tamarind Lithography Workshop, Los Angeles.

CHF 2 500 / 3 500 | (€ 2 580 / 3 610)

Sold for CHF 7 250 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3251 - Z18 Prints & Multiples - Saturday 25 June 2005, 02.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Blue Dip. 1972.

Lithographie 3/22. Unten rechts signiert: Sam Francis. Randabfallend auf BFK Rives 61x47 cm. Sehr selten. Gerahmt.

CHF 5 700 / 7 000 | (€ 5 880 / 7 220)

Sold for CHF 6 307 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3687* - A191 Prints & Multiples - Saturday 07 December 2019, 10.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Heart stone. 1963.

Colour lithograph. 23/65. Signed in pencil lower right: Sam Francis. Sheet size 62 x 90 cm on wove paper by BFK Rives (with the watermark). Published by Kornfeld and Klipstein, Bern. Printed by Emil Matthieu, Zurich.

CHF 3 000 / 5 000 | (€ 3 090 / 5 150)

Sold for CHF 6 250 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3514 - A189 PostWar & Contemporary - Saturday 29 June 2019, 02.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1986.

Acrylic on firm wove paper.

On the reverse with the stamped signature: Sam Francis, as well as with estate stamp: The Sam Francis Estate, and with the handwritten archive number: SF 86-739-S4-71NN.

8 x 11 cm.

CHF 3 000 / 5 000 | (€ 3 090 / 5 150)

Sold for CHF 6 250 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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Lot 3685* - Z41 Prints & Multiples - Saturday 03 December 2016, 03.30 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Poèmes dans le ciel.

1986.

Portfolio with 6 colour lithographs, with the title page (double cover), lyrics by Michel Waldberg and the impressum. 82/100. Respectively signed lower right: Sam Francis, as well as signed in the impressum: Michel Waldberg. Sheet size: 76 x 56 cm on vélin by BFK Rives (partly with the watermark). Published by Philosophie des Arts, Paris. Printed by Desjobert, Paris. In the original linen covered box. Complete.

CHF 5 000 / 7 000 | (€ 5 150 / 7 220)

Sold for CHF 6 250 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 3380 - Z21 Prints & Multiples - Friday 08 December 2006, 01.30 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Ohne Titel.

Lithographie h.c. 12/20. 56x76,5 cm auf festem Papier, Darstellung randabfallend. Sehr schöner, farbfrischer Zustand.

CHF 4 500 / 6 000 | (€ 4 640 / 6 190)

Sold for CHF 5 760 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.

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