Sam Francis – Untitled (SFE-021), 1984 – Aquatint

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Aquatint in colors with Chine collé on Japanese paper Signed lower right. Image size: 91 × 45 cm. Sheet size: 112 × 65 cm. Printed and published by The Litho Shop, Inc., Santa Monica. Literature: Lembark I54.

A rare and imposing aquatint in colours with Chine collé on Japanese paper by Sam Francis. Untitled (SFE-021) unfolds as a tall, vertical cascade of luminous colour — splashes of azure, vermilion, chartreuse and violet that seem to float weightlessly against the translucent ground of the collé sheet. The intimate edition of just 10 and the exquisite interplay between the saturated aquatint pools and the absorbent Japanese substrate make this among the most sought-after prints in Francis's graphic œuvre. Catalogued as Lembark I54.

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 (SFE-021), 1984

Name: Untitled (SFE-021), 1984
Brand: Sam Francis
SKU: 16824
Price: 5250.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Form

Limited Edition Print

Limited Edition PrintA limited edition print is one of a number of prints made at the same time from one printmaking plate. A fixed number are made and signed by the artist, indicating the printing order, using the format 1/10, meaning first of ten prints.

Medium

Aquatint

AquatintIntaglio is a printmaking technique where the artist creates marks on a metal plate that hold ink or dye. The inked plate is then pressed onto paper, transferring the ink to the sheet. This process can be repeated multiple times depending on the technique. Intaglio methods, such as etching, often involve applying a mordant (acid) to the metal plate to create the design. Intaglio encompasses various techniques, including engraving, etching, and drypoint.

Edition

Edition of 10

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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 (SFE-021), 1984

112 x 65 cm

Sam Francis

Untitled (SFE-021), 1984

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Biography

Bio

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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