Sam Francis – Untitled (SF78-1010), 1978 – Acrylic on paper

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Signed, dated and inscribed to verso ‘Sam Francis 1978 For Brian Love Sam’. This work is registered in the Sam Francis: Online Catalogue Raisonné Project as number SF78-1010.

Untitled (SF78-1010) by Sam Francis is a 1978 acrylic on paper that exemplifies the artist’s luminous and spontaneous approach to abstraction. Layers of saturated blues, greens, turquoise, purple, and vivid red splashes spread across the paper, balanced by areas of untouched white that function as active compositional elements rather than empty space. Francis applied fluid paint with energetic gestures, allowing color to bloom, drip, and overlap, creating a sense of movement and light. Influenced by Abstract Expressionism, Color Field painting, and East Asian aesthetics, his work explores the relationship between color, space, and perception. This intimate composition is signed, dated, and inscribed on the reverse, “For Brian Love Sam,” and is registered in the Sam Francis: Online Catalogue Raisonné Project as SF78-1010.

Sam Francis (USA, 1923–1994) was an influential abstract painter known for his vibrant, color-drenched canvases. Associated with Abstract Expressionism and Lyrical Abstraction, his work often featured dynamic splashes and drips, exploring light, space, and movement with a global artistic perspective.

Sam Francis

Untitled (SF78-1010), 1978

Name: Untitled (SF78-1010), 1978
Brand: Sam Francis
SKU: 17638
Price: 21200.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Form

Drawing / Watercolor

Drawing / WatercolorDrawing and watercolor are two traditional art techniques which stand alone as media, but are often used in conjunction with each other. Drawing can create the basic outlines for watercolor painting. Drawing over dried watercolor or using watercolor pencils are combined media techniques.

Medium

Acrylic on paper

Acrylic on paperAcrylic on paper is a technique that involves using acrylic paints on various paper types and textures. Artists often choose watercolor paper with smooth or rough surfaces to apply acrylics using watercolor techniques such as bleeding, washing, and spattering. This approach allows for a wide range of effects, combining the flexibility of acrylics with the delicate qualities of watercolor methods.

Edition

Unique work

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Signed, dated and inscribed to verso ‘Sam Francis 1978 For Brian Love Sam’. This work is registered in the Sam Francis: Online Catalogue Raisonné Project as number SF78-1010.

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Sam Francis was an American painter whose breakthrough into America came with his participation in the exhibition of, Twelve Americans in the New York Museum of Modern Art in 1956. During this time of Sam's life his style changed from monochrome compositions to colorful. Sam Francis was initially influenced by the abstract expressionists and later became associated with second generation abstract expressionists. Sam Francis spent the 1950's in Paris and it was there his first exhibition was held at the Galerie Nina Dausset. His art while there was influenced by his exposure to French modern painting, Asian culture and Zen Buddhism. During the 50's, Sam's art would evolve through a series of stages from monochromatic abstractions to richly colored murals. Sam Francis's calligraphic characteristic of applying color with lyrical properties of liquid paint are referred to as, Asian art. He traveled the world with these pieces visiting: Japan, Thailand and India showing the painting at exhibitions in Tokyo and Osaka. He then went on to develop a personal style of spontaneous and gestic drippings. Sam created his art by applying acrylic, oil and watercolors to the image by using revolving and splashing motions. Sam Francis then changed his technique again in the 1970's by covering his surfaces with a net-like structure, and again when he began to use lithography, etching and monotype. He created some expressive compositions while experimenting in the 1980's by partially running colors. With this style Sam received some large commissions for mural work. (Artist website)

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Sam Francis

Untitled (SF78-1010), 1978

16 x 26 cm

Sam Francis

Untitled (SF78-1010), 1978

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Biography

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Untitled (SF78-1010), 1978

Untitled (SF82-263), 1982

Vert Francaise, 1963

Island Plate, 1973

Untitled (SFE-071), 1989

Untitled (SFE-013), 1984

Untitled Red (American Foundation), 1992

And Pink (SF-143), 1973

Another Footprint, 1971

Untitled (SF-329) (L. L278), 1988

Untitled (from the Fresh Air School portfolio), 1972

Mehrfarbige Spirale, 1970

Untitled (SFE-021), 1984

Untitled (from Portfolio 9), 1967

Untitled, 1988

Untitled (SF-358), 1993

Private Listing

Spring Solution, 1972

Self Portrait (SF-051), 1976

Untitled (SF-345), 1991

Private Listing

Untitled (SFE-029), 1983

Untitled (SFE-014), 1984

Untitled (SFE-072), 1989

Dark Cup (SF-141), 1973

Untitled (SF-356), 1992

Untitled (SFE-073RC), 1973

In, On and Of paper, #1, 1977

Web (SFS-136), 1972

Untitled (SF-315), 1986

Untitled from the Papierski Portfolio, 1992

Metal Line, 1971

SFE 079, 1992

Beauty Walk, 1960

Lover Loved (...), 1960

Red Again (S(...), 1972

Salmon, 1973

Happy Death (...), 1960

SFS-332, 1988

Bright Jade (...), 1963

For the Blue(...), 1990

Blue Cut Sai(...), 1969

For thirteen, 1989

Veiled Sail, 1969

The upper Re(...), 1963

Papierski, 1973-84

SF343

Vegetable I (...), 1971

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