Though there is much white space, a plethora of colors and shapes stand out of Sam Francis Untitled, 1983. Francis was known for using white space in paintings, and in fact he created a number of works called ‘Edge paintings’ where he utilized the entire white space of the canvas with only the edges containing any color. This monotype does not fit in with the edge painting aesthetic, but the remnants of Francis’ interest in white space do remain. Blocks of color float in from the sides of the paper, cut off by the end of the printed space. This makes it appear as though the scene carries on beyond the bounds of the image, and that Francis has managed to frantically capture a moment of it.

Bold yellows, reds, and blues create a primary suite of colors, which are then added to by light pinks, oranges, and teals. Central to the composition is a texture blue band that crosses through the middle of the monotype. The band is broken, cracked in the middle where it splinters in two. Unbroken, the band serves to create two separate registers of the monotype, but once a channel is opened between the two, the work flows through as a complete composition. All the shapes have rough edges, like cut or torn paper, but this break stands out because we see both sides of the contour.

Created in 1983, this monotype with oil paint, powdered pigment and ink in colors on handmade paper is hand signed Sam Francis (San Mateo, 1923- Santa Monica, 1994) in pencil in the lower right. A unique and original work.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

1. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Sam Francis Untitled, 1983 presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.