Trietto 4 (SFE 077RC) - Sam Francis

A 1977 lithograph by Sam Francis, featuring a dynamic, circular composition of translucent blue washes and energetic colour splatters.

Trietto 4 (SFE 077RC) is a lithograph produced by Sam Francis in 1977. This work displays the artist's characteristic approach to space and colour, where the white of the paper functions as an active element rather than a passive background. Francis, who spent significant time in Paris and Tokyo, developed a visual language that synthesised the gestural energy of American Abstract Expressionism with the spatial sensibilities of Eastern art.

The composition is dominated by a central, looping form that suggests a circular or orbital movement. This primary shape is defined by translucent washes of blue, which allow the underlying paper texture to remain visible. Within and around this central motif, Francis introduces a series of splatters, drips, and linear marks in contrasting hues of red, yellow, and green. These elements create a sense of kinetic energy, as if the paint were caught in a state of suspension or mid-air dispersal.

Technically, the lithograph demonstrates the artist's mastery of the medium. The layering of transparent inks creates depth, while the deliberate placement of marks guides the eye across the surface. Unlike his earlier, more monochromatic works, this piece employs a broader spectrum of colour to articulate the relationship between solid form and empty space. The work avoids a fixed orientation, encouraging the viewer to engage with the interplay of light and pigment. By balancing controlled graphic elements with spontaneous, fluid gestures, Francis creates a visual field that feels both expansive and contained. This print is a representative example of his later graphic output, where the focus shifted towards the exploration of colour relationships and the physical properties of the printmaking process.