Sam Francis

Gallery Delaive, Amsterdam
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner in 1990

Amsterdam, Gallery Delaive; Eindhoven, Galerie Willy Schoots, Sam Francis, 1990, no. 29, illustrated in colour

Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although the overall tonality is deeper, while there is a brighter hue to the green paint and the pale yellow tends more towards lemon yellow in the original. Condition: This work is in very good condition. It is hinged to the backing board in several places on the reverse. There is very light undulation throughout. There are two minute creases towards the centre of the extreme bottom edge and one towards the top left-hand corner of the extreme left edge, only visible on close inspection. There is a tiny loss by the red paint in the left section of the top extreme edge. There is a very small and fine tear towards the centre of the upper section of the extreme left-hand edge, only visible on close inspection. There is a tiny, isolated, stable hairline drying crack in the yellow pigment towards the upper centre of the upper left-hand quadrant. There is a small area of extremely fine and stable craquelure to the orange paint towards the lower centre of the extreme right-hand edge and a few further drying cracks with some associated minor spots of loss to some of the areas where the paint extends from the sheet. There are a few creases predominantly in the lower section of the red paint which appear to be original to the work's execution.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This work is registered in the Sam Francis Foundation Archives under number SF89/80

IMPORTANT WORKS FROM A PRIVATE SCANDINAVIAN COLLECTION

The works from this collection constitute the distillation of a lifetime of experience and involvement with the arts. Filtered by a well informed artistic sensibility born from a childhood surrounded by music and culture, these acquisitions were influenced by a close relationship with many of modernism's leading protagonists. Although the creator of the collection pursued a career in a different field, the extent of his collecting provides evidence of a hobby that developed into a lifelong obsession. His numerous acquisitions, served to deepen a fascination with modern art that burgeoned over the last half century, leaving a unique legacy of modernist works.

The more contemporary works in the collection here, survey the thrilling developments in Abstraction that took place in painting and sculpture in the 1950s and early 1960s.  The appearance at auction of the collection in its entirety marks a rare event and an exceptional opportunity for modern collectors, providing many fresh perspectives on some of the seminal masters of 20th century art. The Sam Francis in this collection from 1989 lays testament to the artist's talent as an extraordinary colourist. There is a melting effect achieved with this medley of colours, yet the artist always retains a sense of composition and structure. An immediacy is captured in his works on paper, on which the paint is absorbed instantaneously thus realising Sam Francis' desire to create a dreamlike fluidity. Untitled by Nay is another example of an artist who combines conscious order with a primitive instinct for colour. There is a tension concealed in this work that juxtaposes a bright and bold beauty with a hidden darkness. The seven works following are a combination of Calder mobiles, some wonderfully vibrant examples from the Cobra era, and paintings heavily influenced by the rich boldness of the Abstract Expressionists. We are delighted to include this selection from such a prominent and important collection.