Who is Sam Francis? Sam Francis Bio, Age, Height, Parents, Wife, Net Worth, Nationality And More
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Jul 20, 2023
Who was Sam Francis?
Samuel Lewis Francis, a renowned American abstract expressionist painter, and printmaker, was born on June 25, 1923, in San Mateo, California. He honed his artistic skills at the California School of Fine Arts (now known as the San Francisco Art Institute) between 1942 and 1946.
In 1944, Francis embarked on his artistic journey after a diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis resulting from a U.S. Army Air Corps accident. Drawing inspiration from the works of Paul Klee, Henri Matisse, and Jackson Pollock, he soon developed his distinct artistic style, characterized by vibrant colors, expressive brushwork, and emotive forms.
His talent garnered swift recognition, with his first exhibition taking place in 1947. Notably, in 1950, he held his inaugural solo exhibition at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles. Furthermore, his significant contribution to the art world was highlighted in the groundbreaking "New American Painting" exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1958.
From 1959 to 1966, Francis resided and worked in Paris, where the works of French painter Nicolas de Staël influenced him. During this period, his paintings featured grand abstract forms and a subdued color palette. In 1966, he returned to the United States, settling in Santa Monica, California, where he continued to create and showcase his art until his passing on November 4, 1994.
Throughout his career, Samuel Lewis Francis earned recognition as one of the most significant abstract expressionist painters of the 20th century. His masterpieces can be found in prominent museum collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Tate Modern.
Sam Francis Age
Sam Francis, a renowned artist, was born on June 25, 1923, in San Mateo, California, U.S., and passed away on November 4, 1994, in Santa Monica, California, U.S., at the age of 71. Throughout his lifetime, he left an indelible mark on the art world, making significant contributions to the Abstract Expressionist movement.
During his illustrious career, Francis crafted a diverse and captivating body of work that skillfully blended aspects of Color Field painting and calligraphy with his own distinctive style of mark-making. Notably, his paintings were characterized by an exuberant and daring use of colors, often featuring brilliant yellows, blues, and pinks. Despite facing various health challenges throughout his life, including a near-fatal car accident in 1951 and multiple bouts of cancer, Francis persisted in creating art until his final days.
Today, Sam Francis is regarded as one of the most innovative and influential painters of the Abstract Expressionist movement. His artistic legacy continues to captivate art enthusiasts, and his masterpieces remain highly coveted by collectors and esteemed museums. His profound impact on the art world endures, and his artistic contributions are celebrated and cherished by artists worldwide.
Sam Francis Parents
Sam Francis, the renowned artist, had parents who greatly impacted his life and artistic journey. His father, Samuel Augustus Francis Sr., was not only a lawyer but also a businessman, born in San Francisco, California, in 1887, and he passed away in Santa Monica, California, in 1967. Meanwhile, his mother, Katherine Lewis Francis, was a homemaker with a passion for music. She was born in San Mateo, California, in 1893, and she passed away in Santa Monica, California, in 1970.
Both of Sam Francis' parents shared an interest in the arts. His father was an art collector, and his mother was a talented pianist. Being exposed to the arts from an early age profoundly influenced Sam Francis' own artistic development.
Notably, Sam Francis was the youngest among three siblings, with an older brother named Robert and a sister named Helen. Sam Francis' parents played a crucial role in supporting his artistic ambitions. They not only encouraged him to pursue his passion for painting but also provided financial assistance for his art education.
Sam Francis expressed deep gratitude for his parents' unwavering support, acknowledging that their encouragement played a significant part in shaping him as an artist. In a 1972 interview, he credited them, saying, "I owe a great deal to my parents for their encouragement and support. They were always there for me, and they never doubted my ability to succeed."
The profound influence of Sam Francis' parents continued to resonate throughout his life and art. Their support and belief in his abilities contributed to his unique artistic vision, making them instrumental in his journey to becoming the celebrated artist he was.
Sam Francis Wife
Throughout his life, Sam Francis experienced a total of five marriages. His first union was with Vera Mae Miller, whom he married in 1947. Shortly after, he married California artist Muriel Goodwin in 1948. In 1952, Francis entered his third marriage with Claire Falkenstein, an American sculptor celebrated for her abstract metal and glass sculptures.
His fourth marriage was to Mako Idemitsu in 1966, and together, they welcomed two sons, Osamu, and Shingo Jules. Finally, in 1985, he married Margaret Smith in a Shinto ceremony in Japan.
Among his marriages, the longest one was with Mako Idemitsu, a Japanese artist and the daughter of one of Japan's prominent oil company founders. Together, they had two sons, Osamu and Shingo Jules. Mako played a significant role in introducing Sam Francis to the Japanese art world, influencing him to create a series of works inspired by Japanese calligraphy during this period.
Earlier in his life, Francis was married to California artist Muriel Goodwin, whom he met while studying art at UC Berkeley. As his second wife, they shared two children, a son named David and a daughter named Kayo.
Later, he entered into a marriage with Claire Falkenstein, an acclaimed sculptor renowned for her innovative use of unconventional materials in her art. During their marriage, Francis and Falkenstein collaborated on several projects, including large-scale installations that garnered international recognition.
Sam Francis Networth
Sam Francis led a life that reads like an enthralling biography. Born in 1923 in San Mateo, California, this remarkable artist, renowned for his bold and vibrant abstract canvases, embarked on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery while confined to a full-body cast for three years due to a severe bout of spinal tuberculosis.
Across his illustrious 50-year career, Francis created a staggering 10,000 artworks, graced over 100 solo exhibitions, and during the late 1950s to mid-1960s, commanded unparalleled prices among living painters. Widely regarded as the world's first true international artist, he traversed three continents, embracing five marriages, and undertaking creative ventures around the globe.
Beyond his prolific artistry, Francis ventured into various ventures, establishing a publishing company, printing press, holistic medical research center, reforestation program, and even a wind energy company that stands strong to this day. At his passing in 1994, he left behind an estate valued at an impressive $79 million.
Given such a colorful and captivating life, it's surprising that Gabrielle Selz's "Light on Fire: The Art and Life of Sam Francis" (University of California Press) marks the artist's first comprehensive biography. Selz's engaging narrative skillfully transports readers through Francis's adventures, witnessing his leaps between countries, lovers, and commissioned projects, forever embracing the change and drama that fueled his artistic brilliance.
Sam Francis Nationality
Sam Francis, an eminent American artist, was born on June 25, 1923, in San Mateo, California. He left an indelible mark on the abstract expressionist movement, renowned for his masterful use of bold colors, expressive brushstrokes, and evocative forms.
His artistic journey commenced at the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco, where he honed his skills from 1942 to 1946. Following his service in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, he returned to San Francisco, embarking on a prolific career as an artist.
Influenced by luminaries like Paul Klee, Henri Matisse, and Jackson Pollock, Francis's early works garnered attention, leading to his inaugural solo exhibition at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles in 1950. This showcase propelled him into the limelight, solidifying his position as one of the most prominent abstract expressionist painters of his time.
In 1959, Francis relocated to Paris, residing and creating for seven transformative years. During this period, his art evolved into more abstract and expressive realms, strongly influenced by the French painter Nicolas de Staël.
By 1966, he returned to the United States, finding his artistic haven in Santa Monica, California. There, he continued painting and showcasing his captivating art until his passing in 1994.
Francis's exceptional oeuvre has found its way into prestigious collections across the globe, including esteemed institutions like the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Tate Modern. His profound impact on the abstract expressionist movement firmly establishes him as one of the most revered painters of the 20th century.
Who was Sam Francis - FAQs
Sam Francis was an American artist, born on June 25, 1923, in San Mateo, California, known for his significant contributions to the abstract expressionist movement.
Sam Francis's artwork was distinguished by its bold colors, expressive brushwork, and emotive forms, which exemplified the essence of abstract expressionism.
Sam Francis studied art at the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco from 1942 to 1946.
Sam Francis gained recognition through his first solo exhibition at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles in 1950, where his art caught the attention of the art world.
While living in Paris from 1959 to 1966, Sam Francis was notably influenced by the works of the French painter Nicolas de Staël, which had an impact on the abstract and expressive nature of his art.