Sam Francis, American, 1923-1994. Watercolor on paper, untitled, rendered in shades of blue and green with hints of red, yellow, and orange. Unsigned, circa 1958. Good condition. Image 14 7/8 x 18", under glass with the original mat, in a contemporary frame, the original paper label affixed to the back reads, in part, "Chenue S. A. R. L., Emballeur d'Objets d'Arts", 21 1/2 x 25 1/4" high overall. ESTIMATE $30,000-50,000 Provenance: The Estate of Martin Becker (c. 1897-1972); acquired directly from the artist in Paris, circa 1958; thus by descent to the present owners. Mr. Becker had been a decorator with the prestigious French firm Alavoine during much of the mid-20th century. In fact, one of Becker’s most notable projects was the Weil-Worgelt apartment on Park Avenue, completed between 1928 and 1930. The apartment’s art deco study was later donated to the Brooklyn Museum where it is currently the only 20th century period room on exhibit. Alavoine had offices in both Paris and New York City, and Becker maintained a residence in each metropolis. According to family members, he became acquainted with the authors and artists of the day, including Erich Marie Remarque, Picasso, Miro, and Boris Lovet-Lorski. It was during this time that Becker also met Sam Francis in Paris. Sam Francis moved from California to Paris in 1950. The move was not only a physical relocation but also a departure from the tonal gray, black and white works of his early career. During the 1950s, Francis’ work evolved in a series of stages, beginning with monochromatic abstraction. Inspired by the French masters of color including Monet, Cezanne and Matisse, blue became his signature color.And while he did spend much of his time in the City of Light, Francis also traveled worldwide, including several trips to Japan. There he studied and implemented Eastern techniques, such as Haboku, a style of brushwork employing drips and flung ink, which would have a formative influence on Francis. He returned to Paris in 1958 for what would be a highly prolific year for the artist. An exposition at the Centre Culturel Americain in Paris during the summer of 1958 may have brought the men together. A brochure for the exhibit, which featured the works of three American abstract artists living in Paris at the time—Sam Francis, Shirley Jaffe and Kimber Smith—was in Becker’s possession and always associated with the painting but does not illustrate this work. Similar examples of Francis’ work of this period have been sought after at auction. For instance, an untitled watercolor sold at Christie’s in November 2014 (Sale 2892, Lot 241). Executed around 1955, it exhibits much of the same characteristics—broad brush strokes and paint drips. Note: This work has been submitted to the Sam Francis Foundation for inclusion in the forthcoming Catalogue Raisonne of unique works on paper.

Good condition. No damage noted. In a modern frame with original mat and backing.