Synopses & Reviews
This long-awaited and innovative catalogue raisonne brings together, for the first time, all the known paintings on canvas and panel of California-born abstract expressionist Sam Francis (1923-1994) and offers a comprehensive chronicle of his artistic journey. One of the twentieth century's leading interpreters of light and color, Francis maintained studios not only in New York and Los Angeles, but also in Paris, Bern, and Tokyo, making him the first post-World War II American painter whose reach was truly international. Throughout a long and prolific career, Francis created thousands of paintings as well as works on paper, prints, and monotypes. His work embraces New York abstract expressionism, color field painting, Chinese and Japanese art, French impressionism, and his own Bay Area roots.
Sam Francis: Catalogue Raisonne of Canvas and Panel Paintings is a groundbreaking publication that will never go out of date. It consists of an amply illustrated book and two spectacular DVDs, which provide images and documentation for more than 1,850 canvas and panel paintings, hundreds of which are reproduced for the first time. The DVDs also include a rare film of the artist at work, an extensive bibliography, exhibition histories, and selected writings by Francis and others. The book features a masterful essay by William C. Agee and a biographical timeline compiled by Debra Burchett-Lere. Purchasers will have access to electronic updates on the Foundation's website as they become available, making Sam Francis the premier catalogue raisonne for twenty-first-century readers.
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"Amazing revelations."--Huffington Post
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and#8220;The editor's fact- and anecdote-packed biographical chronology of Francis complements a mellifluous and insightful essay by art historian William C. Ageeand#8221;
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and#8220;Bringing together a and#8220;coffee tableand#8221; book with the functionality of a digital archive has created a remarkable hybrid catalogue.and#8221;
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and#8220;Writing and scholarship has rarely measured up to [Sam Francisand#8217;s] stature. That begins to change with the recent University of California Press publication.and#8221;
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and#8220;I have been looking through the recently issued "Sam Francis" and finding myself wowed by the inventiveness, nimble brushwork, and sumptuous color of Francis' works.and#8221;
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“Now the standard reference source on Francis.” Arlis/Na Reviews
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“Amazing revelations.” John Seed
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and#8220;Now the standard reference source on Francis.and#8221;
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and#8220;Amazing revelations.and#8221;
Synopsis
This innovative and long-awaited catalogue raisonnand#233; brings together, for the first time, all the known paintings on canvas and panel of California-born abstract expressionist Sam Francis (1923and#150;1994) and offers a comprehensive chronicle of his artistic journey. One of the twentieth centuryand#8217;s leading interpreters of light and color, Francis maintained studios not only in New York and Los Angeles, but also in Paris, Bern, and Tokyo, making his reach truly international.
Elegantly boxed, the Sam Francis catalogue raisonnand#233; includes a richly illustrated book with informative texts and two DVDs with authoritative entries for the canvas and panel paintings in an easily browsable, groundbreaking format. It offers the ultimate reference on this artist and a vital research tool.
and#149; Color images and documentation for all 1,850-plus paintings on canvas and panel by Francis (hundreds reproduced for the first time) on two DVDs
and#149; A lavish book with an extended essay by Francis scholar William C. Agee and a biographical timeline by catalogue raisonnand#233; editor Debra Burchett-Lere
and#149; Rare footage of Francis at work, writings by the artist, and descriptions of his studios and techniques
and#149; Access to electronic updates as they become available
and#149; Easily searchable information in a groundbreaking, twenty-first-century format
About the Author
Debra Burchett-Lere is Director and Curator of the Sam Francis Foundation. William Agee, Evelyn Kranes Kossak Professor of Art History at Hunter College, City University of New York, is coauthor of Coming of