Sam Francis

Untitled, 1984

106.7 X 73 inch

What is patina?

What is patina?

Patina is the distinctive greenish surface that bronze develops over time due to exposure to air and humidity. Artists can also apply chemicals to bronze to artificially create patina. Alternatively, bronze can be polished to reveal its natural rich gold color. Patina is not exclusive to bronze; it can also occur on other metals like copper and even on wood and stone, enhancing the material's character over time.

Art Informel

Art Informel is a French term referring to the gestural and improvisational techniques common in abstract painting during the 1940s and 50s. It encompasses various styles that dominated these decades, characterized by informal, spontaneous methods. Artists used this term to describe approaches that moved away from traditional structures and embraced more expressive, unstructured techniques.

Funk Art

In the 1960s, Funk Art emerged as a reactive movement against Abstract Expressionism. It was widely known as an anti-establishment movement, with the name derived from the jazz term funky. This term carried both positive and negative connotations: in the jazz world, it described passion, quirkiness, and sensuality, but it could also refer to a foul odor. Funk Art was particularly popular in the California Bay Area. While the artists of the Funk Art era shared similar attitudes and styles, they did not see themselves as part of a formal group or movement.

Drypoint

Drypoint is an intaglio printmaking technique where an image is incised onto a plate using a sharp, pointed tool, typically a needle made of metal or diamond. Traditionally, copper plates were used, but today zinc, plexiglass, or acetate are also common. Drypoint is easier for drawing artists to master compared to engraving, as the needle technique resembles drawing with a pencil rather than the more complex burin used in engraving.

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