Original aquatint/monoprint printed in 7 colors from 3 runs from 3 steel-faced copper plates, with pure permanent powdered pigment added to the plate prior to printing the third run.
Artist's proof, one of 4 (overall edition of 25), apart from the numbered edition of 18, annotated in pencil lower left. Published by The Litho Shop, Inc., Santa Monica; printed by Jacob Samuel at The Litho Shop, September–October 1989.
Sheet size: 76.2 x 70.5 cm (30 x 27 3/4 in)
Image size: 50.2 x 45.1 cm (19 3/4 x 17 3/4 in)
Frame size: 87.6 x 81.3 x 3.8 cm (34 1/2 x 32 x 1 1/2 in)
Untitled (SFE-071) is a resplendent aquatint and monoprint that exemplifies Sam Francis's mastery of colour as a vehicle for spiritual energy. A commanding red mass occupies the centre of the composition, its saturated intensity set ablaze by explosive splatters of yellow, green, blue, and black that radiate outward with centrifugal force. The addition of pure permanent powdered pigment directly to the plate creates a surface texture of exceptional luminosity, each impression in the edition of eighteen possessing unique chromatic variations that make it a hybrid between print and painting. This late work captures the full exuberance of Francis's Pacific-light palette and his unwavering commitment to colour as the primary language of art.
Artwork Copyright © Sam FrancisSam 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.
Artwork Copyright © Sam Francis