Sam Francis developed his personal style in the 1950s, fusing Action Painting and Colour Field Painting from Abstract Expressionism with Tachisme and influences from Japanese art and calligraphy. His style of painting is marked by luscious colours and painterly spontaneity. There are also works that invite the viewer to introverted contemplation with their minimalist, concentrated compositions.
In the 1960s, Francis developed a very personal form of spontaneous and gestural Drip Painting. With circling and splashing movements, he directed the oil and acrylic paint or watercolours across the substructures. In his 'Grid Pictures' from the 1970s, the picture surface is covered with meshed structures. In addition to his works on canvas, Francis worked in other techniques such as lithography, etching and monotyping.
His works are included in the collections of the most important international museums. As early as 1955, the Museum of Modern Art in New York purchased 'Black and Red' (1953), one of his main works.
