Artist Monograph

Sam Francis, American

American, 1923–1994

Medium Breakdown

Medium	Works at MoMA	Share
Lithography	46	78%
Other Media	7	11.9%
Oil Painting	4	6.8%
Screenprint	1	1.7%
Watercolor	1	1.7%

Department Distribution

Department	Works	Share
Drawings & Prints	56	94.9%
Painting & Sculpture	3	5.1%

Production by Decade

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

Classification Types

Print — 42
Illustrated Book — 13
Painting — 3
Drawing — 1

Physical Scale

Scale bracket	Works	Share
Small (< 30 cm)	6	10.2%
Medium (30–100 cm)	44	74.6%
Large (1–3 m)	6	10.2%
Monumental (> 3 m)	3	5.1%

Range: 10.0 cm → 372.7 cm (largest side)

Acquisition Timeline

Year acquired	Works
1958	1
1960	1
1962	3
1963	3
1964	6
1966	2
1967	1
1968	1
1969	18
1974	8
1976	1
1979	1
1982	3
1984	2
1987	1
1989	7

American Contemporaries

Catalogued Works

MoMA — 59 shown

Title	Date	Medium	Dimensions	Department	Credit line
Big Red Painting Acc. 5.1958	Paris 1953	Oil on canvas	10' x 6' 4 1/4" (303.2 x 194 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Painting & Sculpture	Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David Rockefeller
Moby Dick Painting Acc. 497.1984	Paris 1957-58	Oil on canvas	7' 9" x 12' 2 3/4" (236.2 x 372.7 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Painting & Sculpture	Gift of Celeste and Armand P. Bartos
Towards Disappearance, II Painting Acc. 100.1976	Paris 1957-58	Oil on canvas	9' 1/2" x 10' 5 7/8" (275.6 x 319.7 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Painting & Sculpture	Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller Fund
Untitled Drawing Acc. 28.1960	1958	Watercolor on paper	27 x 40 1/8" (68.6 x 101.9 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Udo M. Reinach Estate
Five Stone Untitled Print Acc. 37.1969	1959-68	Lithograph	composition (irreg.): 16 3/16 x 20 1/4" (41.1 x 51.4cm); sheet: 18 1/2 x 24 1/8" (47 x 61.2cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of the Celeste and Armand Bartos Foundation
Four Stone Untitled Print Acc. 36.1969	1959-68	Lithograph	composition (irreg.): 17 13/16 x 13 7/8" (45.2 x 35.3cm); sheet: 28 9/16 x 22" (72.5 x 55.9cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of the Celeste and Armand Bartos Foundation
Very First Stone Print Acc. 35.1969	1959-68	Lithograph	composition (irreg.): 20 1/16 x 15 5/16" (51 x 38.9cm); sheet: 31 5/16 x 22 7/16" (79.6 x 57cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of the Celeste and Armand Bartos Foundation
Damn Braces Print Acc. 175.1962	1960	Lithograph	composition (irreg.): 33 7/16 x 24 15/16" (84.9 x 63.4cm); sheet: 35 3/4 x 24 15/16" (90.8 x 63.4cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of E. W. Kornfeld
Deux Magots Print Acc. 651.1963	1960	Lithograph	composition: 24 13/16 x 35 1/2" (63.1 x 90.1cm); sheet: 24 13/16 x 35 1/2" (63.1 x 90.1cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Armand P. Bartos
Happy Death Stone Print Acc. 174.1962	1960	Lithograph	composition: 24 13/16 x 35 5/8" (63 x 90.5cm); sheet: 24 13/16 x 35 5/8" (63 x 90.5cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of E. W. Kornfeld
The Upper Yellow Print Acc. 652.1963	1960	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 24 7/8 x 35 11/16" (63.2 x 90.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	D. S. and R. H. Gottesman Foundation Fund
The White Line Print Acc. 173.1962	1960	Lithograph	composition: 33 3/8 x 24 7/8" (84.8 x 63.2 cm); sheet: 35 11/16 x 24 7/8" (90.7 x 63.2 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of E. W. Kornfeld
Another Disappearance Print Acc. 1090.1967	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 22 1/2 × 30 3/16" (57.1 × 76.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Blue-Violet Print Acc. 1217.1967	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 22 5/16 × 29 15/16" (56.7 × 76 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Bright Jade Gold Ghost Print Acc. 653.1963	1963	Lithograph	composition 24 1/2 x 35 11/16" (62.5 x 90.6 cm) sheet 24 1/2 x 35 11/16" (62.5 x 90.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of E. W. Kornfeld
Bright Nothing Print Acc. 1087.1967	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 25 1/4 × 20 3/8" (64.1 × 51.7 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Bright Speck Print Acc. 1089.1967	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 22 1/8 × 30 1/16" (56.2 × 76.4 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Chinese Planet Print Acc. 1088.1967	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 30 3/16 × 22 1/2" (76.6 × 57.2 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Dark Egg Print Acc. 1086.1967	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 17 1/16 × 20 3/16" (43.3 × 51.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Essai Print Acc. 1093.1967	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 15 13/16 × 12 5/8" (40.1 × 32 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Firework Print Acc. 639.1966	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 13 1/2 x 10 1/4" (34.3 x 26 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	John B. Turner Fund
Flying Love Print Acc. 1094.1967	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 23 3/4 × 18 3/4" (60.3 × 47.7 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
For Miro I Print Acc. 1220.1967	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 22 1/4 × 29 15/16" (56.5 × 76 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
For Miró II Print Acc. 1219.1967	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 22 3/16 × 30 1/16" (56.3 × 76.4 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
For Rudd Print Acc. 640.1966	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 13 1/2 x 10 3/16" (34.3 x 25.9 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	John B. Turner Fund
Light Violet Print Acc. 1084.1967	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 22 1/2 × 30 1/16" (57.2 × 76.4 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Mercury Print Acc. 1092.1967	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 23 1/16 × 19 7/8" (58.5 × 50.5 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Stone Cloud Print Acc. 1091.1967	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 17 15/16 × 21 1/4" (45.6 × 54 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Tono Print Acc. 1218.1967	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 22 7/16 × 30 3/16" (57 × 76.7 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Untitled Print Acc. 1085.1967	1963	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 26 1/4 × 36 1/8" (66.7 × 91.8 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
1¢ Life (plate, page 26) from 1¢ Life Illustrated Book Acc. 1164.1964.8	1964	Lithograph from an illustrated book with sixty-two lithographs and reproductions	composition: 15 3/4 × 11" (40 × 27.9 cm); page (irreg.): 16 1/8 × 11 7/16" (41 × 29 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of the author, Walasse Ting, the editor, Sam Francis, and the publisher, E. W. Kornfeld
Cloud Rock (plate, page 78) from 1¢ Life Illustrated Book Acc. 1164.1964.29	1964	Lithograph from an illustrated book with sixty-two lithographs and reproductions	composition: 15 5/8 × 11 3/8" (39.7 × 28.9 cm); page (irreg.): 16 1/8 × 11 7/16" (41 × 29 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of the author, Walasse Ting, the editor, Sam Francis, and the publisher, E. W. Kornfeld
Kayo 4 Years Old – Red Eye (plate, page 83), from 1¢ Life Illustrated Book Acc. 1164.1964.31	1964	Lithograph from an illustrated book with sixty-two lithographs and reproductions	composition: 16 1/16 × 11" (40.8 × 27.9 cm); page (irreg.): 16 1/8 × 11 7/16" (41 × 29 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of the author, Walasse Ting, the editor, Sam Francis, and the publisher, E. W. Kornfeld
Pink Venus Kiki (double page headpiece, pages 104 and 105) from 1¢ Life Illustrated Book Acc. 1164.1964.39	1964	Lithograph from an illustrated book with sixty-two lithographs and reproductions	composition: 15 3/8 × 22" (39 × 55.9 cm); sheet (irreg.): 16 1/8 × 22 13/16" (41 × 58 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of the author, Walasse Ting, the editor, Sam Francis, and the publisher, E. W. Kornfeld
Round Breast of Jayne Mansfield (plate, page 143) from 1¢ Life Illustrated Book Acc. 1164.1964.53	1964	Lithograph from an illustrated book with sixty-two lithographs and reproductions	composition: 16 1/4 × 11 7/16" (41.3 × 29 cm); page (irreg.): 16 1/4 × 11 7/16" (41.3 × 29 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of the author, Walasse Ting, the editor, Sam Francis, and the publisher, E. W. Kornfeld
Uncle Sam Loves Marilyn (plate, page 15) from 1¢ Life Illustrated Book Acc. 1164.1964.3	1964	Lithograph from an illustrated book with sixty-two lithographs and reproductions	composition: 15 13/16 × 11 7/16" (40.2 × 29 cm); page (irreg.): 16 1/8 × 11 7/16" (41 × 29 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of the author, Walasse Ting, the editor, Sam Francis, and the publisher, E. W. Kornfeld
Green and Red Print Acc. 1898.1967	1966	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 31 × 23 1/16" (78.7 × 58.5 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Untitled from 9 Print Acc. 2324.1967.1	1967	Lithograph from a portfolio of nine lithographs (one with embossing)	composition and sheet: 17 3/16 x 22 3/16" (43.7 x 56.4 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	John B. Turner Fund
Untitled from National Collection of Fine Arts Portfolio Print Acc. 739.1968.4	1968	Lithograph from a portfolio of five lithographs, one etching, and one screenprint	composition: 29 1/4 x 21 1/4" (74.3 x 53.9 cm); sheet: 29 1/4 x 21 1/4" (74.3 x 53.9 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Francis Avnet
A Sail Print Acc. 661.1969	1969	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 22 1/16 × 30 1/16" (56.1 × 76.4 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Blue Cut Sail Print Acc. 662.1969	1969	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 22 1/16 × 30 1/16" (56.1 × 76.4 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Chinese Wall Print Acc. 664.1969	1969	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 30 3/16 × 22 1/4" (76.6 × 56.5 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Damp Print Acc. 663.1969	1969	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 26 × 37 1/16" (66.1 × 94.2 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Seal Sail Print Acc. 667.1969	1969	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 36 × 25 1/16" (91.5 × 63.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Sulfur Sail Print Acc. 666.1969	1969	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 38 3/8 × 26 1/8" (97.5 × 66.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Veiled Sail Print Acc. 665.1969	1969	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 35 1/16 × 25 1/16" (89.1 × 63.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.
Untitled (no. 222) Print Acc. 139.1979	1976	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 28 7/8 x 41 3/4" (73.3 x 106cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Lydia K. and Harry L. Winston Fund
Falling Star from Eight Lithographs to Benefit the Foundation for Contemporary Performance Arts, Inc. Print Acc. 421.1987.1	1981	One from a portfolio of eight lithographs	composition and sheet: 35 13/16 x 28 1/16" (91 x 71.2cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Associates Fund
Untitled Print Acc. 231.1982	1982	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 47 3/8 x 34 3/8" (120.4 x 87.3cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	John B. Turner Fund
Untitled Print Acc. 232.1982	1982	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 48 1/16 x 34 3/16" (122.1 x 86.8cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Brooke and Carolyn Alexander
Untitled Print Acc. 233.1982	1982	Lithograph	composition and sheet: 48 1/16 x 34 5/16" (122 x 87.1cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Brooke and Carolyn Alexander
Untitled Print Acc. 187.1984	1984	Woodcut monotype with raw pigment and oil additions	composition and sheet: 42 3/16 x 46 1/8" (107.2 x 117.1cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Purchase and John B. Turner Fund
Headpiece (folio 9) from Boundayr Illustrated Book Acc. 299.1989.3	1985-1988	Aquatint	plate 3 15/16 x 2 15/16" (10.1 x 7.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Fund
In-text plate (folio 10 verso) from Boundayr Illustrated Book Acc. 299.1989.4	1985-1988	Aquatint	plate 3 15/16 x 2 15/16" (10 x 7.5 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Fund
In-text plate (folio 15) from Boundayr Illustrated Book Acc. 299.1989.6	1985-1988	Aquatint	plate 6 15/16 x 3 15/16" (17.7 x 10.1 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Fund
In-text plate (folio 6) from Boundayr Illustrated Book Acc. 299.1989.2	1985-1988	Aquatint	plate 6 15/16 x 5 7/8" (17.7 x 15 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Fund
Plate (folio 12) from Boundayr Illustrated Book Acc. 299.1989.5	1985-1988	Aquatint	plate 5 15/16 x 4 15/16" (15.1 x 12.5 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Fund
Plate (folio 4 verso) from Boundayr Illustrated Book Acc. 299.1989.1	1985-88	Aquatint	plate 6 15/16 x 4" (17.7 x 10.2 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Fund
Boundayr Illustrated Book Acc. 299.1989.1-6	1988 (Prints executed 1985-1987).	Illustrated book with six aquatints	Page: 14 3/16 x 10 7/16" (36 x 26.5 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Fund