SAM FRANCIS American, 1923-1994
Untitled SF78-255, 1978
Signed and Dated Acrylic on BFK Rives Paper
75 x 105 cm. / 29.5 x 41.3 in.
This is an acrylic painting on wove paper by Sam Francis.
It was painted in 1978.
It is hand signed and dated in pencil “Sam Francis 1978” verso. It bears three ink stamps of the Sam Francis Estate, verso.
The paper bears the BFK Rives watermark.
This work is identified with the interim identification number of SF78-255 in consideration for the forthcoming Sam Francis: Catalogue Raisonné of Unique Works on Paper.
Note:
This work presents an interesting insight into the working practices of the Sam Francis. Although the biomorphic green and pink acrylic was painted in 1978, it was executed on the reverse of a screenprint
created by the artist in 1972. The screenprint, titled “Of Vega” (Lembark S. 6) is designated in the catalogue raisonné as a ‘special proof’ (due to the paper used) and only one other impression was recorded.
The published standard edition of the work, “Of Vega” is a four colour screenprint, our impression has three of the four and so it was created during the artistic proofing process. The action to repurpose the screenprint is deliberate by the artist, as the acrylic
has been signed and dated “Sam Francis 1978” in the centre of the sheet, verso.
Provenance: Ace Gallery, Los Angeles.
Private Collection, Los Angeles (acquired from the above in March 1981).
Private Collection.
Exhibited
Los Angeles, Ace Gallery, Sam Francis: Major Paintings and Drawings, 20 March-25 April 1981.
Condition: Very good condition. Handling creases across the sheet. Paper undulates in margins due to technique. Remnants of hinging tape along the sheet edges, verso.
It was painted in 1978.
It is hand signed and dated in pencil “Sam Francis 1978” verso. It bears three ink stamps of the Sam Francis Estate, verso.
The paper bears the BFK Rives watermark.
This work is identified with the interim identification number of SF78-255 in consideration for the forthcoming Sam Francis: Catalogue Raisonné of Unique Works on Paper.
Note:
This work presents an interesting insight into the working practices of the Sam Francis. Although the biomorphic green and pink acrylic was painted in 1978, it was executed on the reverse of a screenprint
created by the artist in 1972. The screenprint, titled “Of Vega” (Lembark S. 6) is designated in the catalogue raisonné as a ‘special proof’ (due to the paper used) and only one other impression was recorded.
The published standard edition of the work, “Of Vega” is a four colour screenprint, our impression has three of the four and so it was created during the artistic proofing process. The action to repurpose the screenprint is deliberate by the artist, as the acrylic
has been signed and dated “Sam Francis 1978” in the centre of the sheet, verso.
Provenance: Ace Gallery, Los Angeles.
Private Collection, Los Angeles (acquired from the above in March 1981).
Private Collection.
Exhibited
Los Angeles, Ace Gallery, Sam Francis: Major Paintings and Drawings, 20 March-25 April 1981.
Condition: Very good condition. Handling creases across the sheet. Paper undulates in margins due to technique. Remnants of hinging tape along the sheet edges, verso.
$ 50,000.00
