Sam Francis - United States Artist From Art History

Historical Artist - Sam Francis (1923 - 1994)

Sam Francis was born in San Mateo, California, and studied botany, medicine and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. Sam Francis was serving in the US Army Air Corps when he injured his spine during a plane crash. He took up painting in 1944 while recovering in the hospital.

Sam Francis moved to Paris in 1950 and studied art under Leger. Sam Francis was initially influenced by the work of abstract expressionists such as Mark Rothko, Arshile Gorky and Clyfford Still. He spent the 1950s in Paris, having his first exhibition there in 1952. While there he became associated with Tachisme. Sam Francis later spent time in Japan, and some have seen an influence from Zen Buddhism in his work.

Sam Francis returned to his home state, California, in 1961, eventually settling in Santa Monica. His work took on a Minimalist attitude upon his return to the States. He also produced murals, watercolors, lithographs, and some sculptures. During the final three decades of his career Sam Francis's style of large scale bright Abstract expressionism was also closely associated with Color field painting.

Contemporary United States Artists
Art Galleries in the United States