Bursting with bright greens, pinks, yellows and deep blue, Sam Francis East Mother, 1971 is a truly exceptional work. Splashes of greens, pinks and more flit to and fro across the page to create a sensationally vibrant matrix of color. White space is utilized with intention in this work, along with in much of Francis’ oeuvre. Here it provides a healthy contrast for the bright colors, making them stand out even more against the stark white. The colors have a watery look to them, as if they were dripped wetly onto the paper. The layering of ink adds texture to the lithograph as well as depth. Despite being layered, the colors retain their clarity and sharpness, indicating Francis’s immense talent for coloration.

Created in 1971, this color lithograph on Rives BFK paper is hand signed by Sam Francis (San Mateo, 1923- Santa Monica, 1994) in pencil in the lower right and inscribed ‘trial proof’ in pencil in the lower right of center from 9 trial proofs; aside from the numbered edition of 30, 2 BAT, 3 CTP, 5 XP, 2S, and C; printed by Keith Kirts at the Litho Shop Inc., Santa Monica; published by The Litho Shop Inc., Santa Monica.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Sam Francis East Mother, 1971 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. Lembark, Connie. The Prints of Sam Francis Catalogue Raisonné 1960-1990. New York: Hudson Hills Press, 1992. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. L117.

2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Sam Francis East Mother, 1971 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.