Untitled (SFP94-3, SF94-024) 1994

Sam Francis made this untitled abstract composition with acrylic paint on canvas in the United States in 1994. Francis worked in a style known as abstract expressionism, a movement that sought to express emotions through non-representational imagery. The image creates meaning through gestural brushstrokes and vibrant colors. Note how he lets the paint drip and pool, creating a sense of spontaneity. Francis was influenced by the writings of Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, who believed that art could tap into the collective unconscious, the shared reservoir of human experience. The cultural milieu of the time saw this as a progressive mode of thinking. To understand art like this, we might examine the cultural and intellectual history of the mid-20th century. One could consider how artists grappled with the legacy of World War II and the rise of consumer culture. By combining visual analysis with an understanding of the social and institutional context, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the role of art in society.