Untitled 1967

This large-scale, untitled painting was made by Sam Francis, an American artist known for his abstract expressionist style. Francis created this canvas during a period marked by significant social and cultural shifts. As a veteran, his experiences during World War II profoundly influenced his worldview and artistic expression, leading him towards abstraction as a means to convey complex emotions. Notice how the edges of the canvas are activated with bold strokes of color, framing a vast expanse of white. This is a departure from traditional compositions, inviting us to contemplate the absence of a central focal point. In his own words Francis invites us to "See each picture as if it were the first one that you have seen." As you stand before this painting, consider how the interplay of color and space invites you to engage with the canvas, offering a moment of introspection. It's a work that exists in the present, urging us to consider the nature of perception.