Sam Francis, an American painter, was born in San Mateo, California. He first attended the
University of Southern California at Berkeley where he studied medicine. In 1945, he
transferred to the California School of Fine Arts and began to study painting.
In 1950, Francis moved to Paris to study at the Atelier Fernand L‚ger where he was
influenced by Riopelle and Jackson Pollack. Francis took a world tour in 1957 which exposed
him to many new techniques and influences. These influences resulted in the development of a
style known as tachisme. Tachisme is a technique where free-flowing oil paint is permitted to
drip down the canvas, creating an accidental design. In the painting "Meaningless Gesture"
this style is well illustrated: the canvas is covered in light, cloud-like forms with thin streams
of paint raining down.
Sam Francis exhibits around the world. His paintings are included in major collections
throughout the United States.
|