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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

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Lot 3471 - Z31 Prints & Multiples - Friday 09 December 2011, 11.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Chinese Planet. 1963.

Farblithographie. 15/20. Unten rechts signiert: Sam Francis. Blattmasse 76,2 x 56,7 cm auf Vélin von BFK Rives (mit dem Wasserzeichen). Erschienen bei Tamarind Lithography Workshop, Los Angeles. Gedruckt bei Irwin Hollander at Tamarind Lithography Workshop, Los Angeles.

CHF 2 000 / 3 000 | (€ 2 060 / 3 090)

Sold for CHF 2 640 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 3661 - A205 Prints & Multiples - Thursday 22 June 2023, 10.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

The Upper Red. 1963/64.

Colour lithograph. 45/300, 2nd edition. With the signature stamp lower right. Sheet size 50.2 × 65.5 cm on wove paper by BFK Rives (with the trimmed watermark). Published by Kestner-Gesellschaft, Hannover. Printed by Matthieu Atelier, Zurich.

CHF 2 000 / 3 000 | (€ 2 060 / 3 090)

Sold for CHF 2 500 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 3667 - A197 Prints & Multiples - Thursday 01 July 2021, 01.30 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Hurrah for the red, white, and blue. 1961.

Colour lithograph. 139/400. With the Japanese signature stamp lower right. Sheet size 50.2 × 65.1 cm on wove paper by BFK Rives (with the watermark). Published by Kornfeld and Klipstein, Bern. Printed by Emil Matthieu Atelier, Zurich.

CHF 1 500 / 2 000 | (€ 1 550 / 2 060)

Sold for CHF 2 500 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 3708 - Z35 Prints & Multiples - Saturday 07 December 2013, 02.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

An other set - X. 1963.

Farblithografie. 14/100. Unten links signiert: Sam Francis. Darstellung 78,7 x 47 cm auf Shirikawa rice Papier, aufgelegt auf Seidenpapierrolle 132,1 x 48,3 cm. Erschienen beim Pasadena Art Museum, Kalifornien. Gedruckt bei Joseph Press, Los Angeles. Aus der Pasadena Box. Mit Hängevorrichtung.

CHF 1 400 / 1 800 | (€ 1 440 / 1 860)

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Lot 3483* - Z31 Prints & Multiples - Friday 09 December 2011, 11.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Ohne Titel. 1983.

Aquatintaradierung und Monoprint. 8/9. Unten rechts signiert: Sam Francis. 60,5 x 45,2 auf Vélin von Sommerset Satin 80,3 x 63,3 cm. Erschienen bei The Lithoshop, Inc. Santa Monica. Gedruckt bei Jacob Samuel bei The Print Shop, Inc., Santa Monica (mit dem Blindstempel).

CHF 2 000 / 3 000 | (€ 2 060 / 3 090)

Sold for CHF 2 400 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 3766 - A189 Prints & Multiples - Saturday 29 June 2019, 10.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1986.

Colour lithograph. 85/100. Signed in pencil lower right: Sam Francis. Sheet size 76 x 56 cm on wove paper by BKF Rives. Published by Philosophie des Arts, Paris. Printed by Desjobert, Paris. From the 6-part portfolio "Poèmes dans le ciel" by Michel Waldberg.

CHF 1 600 / 2 200 | (€ 1 650 / 2 270)

Sold for CHF 2 250 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 3449* - Z23 Prints & Multiples - Friday 07 December 2007, 01.30 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1976.

Lithographie 22 / 30. Unten rechts signiert: Sam Francis. Darstellung auf Vélin BFK Rives 94 x 68,6 cm. Sehr schöner Zustand.

CHF 1 800 / 2 800 | (€ 1 860 / 2 890)

Sold for CHF 2 160 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 3686 - A191 Prints & Multiples - Saturday 07 December 2019, 10.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1986.

Colour lithograph. 55/100. Signed in pencil lower right: Sam Francis. Sheet size 76 x 56 cm on wove paper by BFK Rives. Published by Philosophie des Arts, Paris. Printed by Desjobert, Paris. From the 6-part portfolio "Poèmes dans le ciel" by Michel Waldberg.

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Lot 3252 - Z18 Prints & Multiples - Saturday 25 June 2005, 02.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1985.

Aquatinta 15/40. Unten rechts signiert: Sam Francis. Platte 19,1x11,1 cm auf Vélin de Johannot 29,2x19,7 cm. Sehr schöner, einwandfreier Zustand. Aufwändig gerahmt.

CHF 1 800 / 2 600 | (€ 1 860 / 2 680)

Sold for CHF 1 904 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 3500 - Z33 Prints & Multiples - Friday 07 December 2012, 10.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Sail I. 1968.

Farblithographie. 29/40. Unten mittig signiert: Sam Francis. Blattmass 101,6 x 71,1 cm auf Vélin von BFK Rives. Erschienen bei Hollander's Workshop, New York. Gedruckt von Irwin Hollander, Hollander's Workshop, New York.

CHF 1 600 / 2 000 | (€ 1 650 / 2 060)

Sold for CHF 1 800 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 3536* - Z29 Prints & Multiples - Friday 03 December 2010, 10.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1982.

Aquatinta 14 / 20. Unten rechts signiert: Sam Francis. Platte 60,3 x 45,1 cm auf Vélin Somerset 77,2 x 60,3 cm. Verlegt und gedruckt von The Litho Shop, Inc., Santa Monica, Californien (unten rechts mit dem Blindprägestempel).

CHF 3 000 / 4 000 | (€ 3 090 / 4 120)

Sold for CHF 1 800 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 3684 - Z36 Prints & Multiples - Saturday 28 June 2014, 01.30 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

For St. Gallen. 1963.

Farblithografie. 103/150. Unten rechts signiert: Sam Francis. Blattgrösse 65,5 x 50,3 cm auf Vélin von BFK Rives (mit dem Wasserzeichen). Erschienen bei Kornfeld und Klipstein, Bern. Gedruckt bei Emil Mathieu Atelier, Zürich. Aus dem 24-teiligen Portfolio "Graphikmappe Hochschule St. Gallen". Winziger Einriss.

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Sold for CHF 1 680 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 3662 - A205 Prints & Multiples - Thursday 22 June 2023, 10.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Bright Jade Ghost. Variant III. 1963.

Colour lithograph. 54/125 III. Signed in pencil lower centre: Sam Francis. Sheet size 63 × 90.3 cm on wove paper by BFK Rives (with the watermark). Published by Kornfeld & Klipstein, Bern. Printed by Emil Matthieu Atelier, Zurich.

CHF 1 500 / 2 000 | (€ 1 550 / 2 060)

Sold for CHF 1 625 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 7042 - ibid137 Prints & Multiples - online only - Wednesday 28 June 2023, 10.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Happy Death Stone. 1960.

Colour lithograph. 35/70. Signed in pencil lower right: Sam Francis. On BFK Rives (with the watermark) 63 × 90.8 cm. Published by Kornfeld & Klipstein, Bern. Printed by Emil Matthieu Atelier, Zurich.

CHF 1 200 / 1 600 | (€ 1 240 / 1 650)

Sold for CHF 1 500 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 3716 - Z37 Prints & Multiples - Saturday 06 December 2014, 01.30 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Damn Braces. 1960.

Farblithografie. 75/75. Unten rechts signiert: Sam Francis. Darstellung 84 x 63,3 cm auf Vélin von BFK Rives (mit dem Wasserzeichen) 90,2 x 63,3 cm. Erschienen bei Kornfeld & Klipstein, Bern. Gedruckt bei Emil Matthieu Atelier, Zürich.

CHF 800 / 1 200 | (€ 820 / 1 240)

Sold for CHF 1 440 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 3501 - Z32 Prints & Multiples - Friday 22 June 2012, 10.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Polar Red. 1973.

Farboffsetlithographie. 27/150. Unten rechts signiert: Sam Francis, sowie mit dem lithographierten Titel und Datierung: Polar Red 1973. Darstellung 59 x 114,5 cm auf festem Vélin 79,6 x 119,5 cm. Ausstellungsplakat mit der lithographierten Schrift: Sam Francis Fra Idemitsu Museet Tokyo - Louisiana 29/11 1986 - 18/01 1987. *** wiege***

CHF 1 200 / 1 800 | (€ 1 240 / 1 860)

Sold for CHF 1 200 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 3456 - Z24 Prints & Multiples - Friday 20 June 2008, 11.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled.

Lithographie HC 19/20. Unten rechts signiert: Sam Francis. Darstellung randabfallend 76 x 56 cm. Sehr schöner Zustand.

CHF 1 000 / 1 500 | (€ 1 030 / 1 550)

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Lot 3682 - Z41 Prints & Multiples - Saturday 03 December 2016, 03.30 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

From: 1¢ life (Uncle Sam loves Marylin, 1¢ life, Cloud rock, Kayo 4 years old).

1964.

4 colour lithographs, printed together on 1 sheet. Signed lower left: Sam Francis, also dedicated: for Beaudet. Sheet size 58 x 81 cm on wove paper. Published by E.W. Kornfeld, Bern. Printed by Maurice Beaudet, Paris.

CHF 800 / 1 400 | (€ 820 / 1 440)

Sold for CHF 1 125 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 3379 - Z21 Prints & Multiples - Friday 08 December 2006, 01.30 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Affiche 'Fra idemitsu museet i Tokyo. Louisiana.' 1986 / 1987.

Offset-Lithographie 134 / 150. Unten rechts signiert: Sam Francis. Auf Plakatpapier 100 x 61 cm. Schöner Zustand. Gerahmt.

CHF 800 / 1 200 | (€ 820 / 1 240)

Sold for CHF 1 080 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 7054* - ibid145 Prints & Multiples - online only - Wednesday 26 June 2024, 02.00 PM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1975.

Lithograph in colours. 118/125. Signed in pencil lower right: Sam Francis. Image 55.9 × 45.1 cm on BFK Rives (with cropped watermark) 73.4 × 56.4 cm. Published by Swiss Graphic Society, Bern. Printed by Litho Shop, Santa Monica (with their blind stamp).

CHF 800 / 1 000 | (€ 820 / 1 030)

Sold for CHF 1 063 (including buyer’s premium)
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Lot 7024 - ibid140 Prints & Multiples - online only - Wednesday 06 December 2023, 10.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled (SF-194). 1975.

Colour lithograph. 50/125. Signed in pencil lower right: Sam Francis. Image 55.8 × 44.5 cm on BFK Rives wove paper (with the watermark) 73.3 × 56.5 cm. Published by Swiss Graphic Society, Bern. Printed by George Page, Litho Shop, Santa Monica (with blind stamp).

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Lot 7043 - ibid137 Prints & Multiples - online only - Wednesday 28 June 2023, 10.00 AM

SAM FRANCIS

(San Mateo 1923–1994 Santa Monica)

Untitled. 1975.

Lithograph in colours. 118/125. Signed in pencil lower right: Sam Francis. Image 55.9 × 45.1 cm on BFK Rives (with cropped watermark) 73.4 × 56.4 cm. Published by Swiss Graphic Society, Bern. Printed by Litho Shop, Santa Monica (with their blind stamp).

CHF 800 / 1 000 | (€ 820 / 1 030)

Sold for CHF 813 (including buyer’s premium)
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