Lot 135 D

Das Werk ist in Köln zu besichtigen. Für weitere Informationen und Terminabsprache: Kunsthaus Lempertz, Tel. 0221-925729-32.

"In succeeding groups of canvases Francis continues to shave the lush edges of color away during the next three years until he achieves his own brand of minimalist discipline, reaching its apogee with works dating from 1966 and 1968 [...] fragile bands of brilliant color, occasionally completely broken through by the white ground, move about at the outermost extremities of the canvas. Francis had reduced the traditional elements of his work - gesture and virtuoso handling of his medium - almost to the point of oblivion, purposely restraining his natural inclinations toward dramatic expression. That he sustained this exercise of firmly imposed self-will during three years, in a style which seemed a negation of practically all he had previously created, dismayed many of his most devoted followers. That these paintings are his most difficult works to comprehend, there is no doubt. They are also mysterious, compelling, almost magnetic in their effect and are quite unlike the forthright, often fragile, always dynamic nature of his previous works.
[...] The elimination of parts of the four remaining strips of paint [...] threatens annihilation of the remaining painted surfaces. Francis' work gradually retrenches from this extreme position. [...] despite its immensity, it is weightless and may be seen as symbolic of the infinity of universal space and the inconsequence of substance and matter." (Robert T. Buck, The paintings of Sam Francis, in: Sam Francis, Paintings 1947-1972, Ausst.Kat. Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York, 1972, S. 23).