Self-Portrait 1973

Sam Francis's "Self-Portrait" (1973) is a striking example of Abstract Expressionism. The black and white lithograph depicts a distorted, almost unrecognizable visage, with the artist's features obscured by swirling lines and splatter effects. The work's dynamism and gestural quality are reminiscent of Francis's larger-scale paintings, and the fragmented form suggests an exploration of selfhood and identity through the lens of abstract expression. The artist's personal struggle with illness and the emotional turmoil of the postwar era are likely to be mirrored in this powerful self-portrait.