Sun Up - Sam Francis

A 1960 lithograph by Sam Francis, featuring his signature use of peripheral colour bursts and expansive negative space.

Sun Up is a lithograph by the American artist Sam Francis, produced in 1960. Francis is recognised for his exploration of colour and light, often employing a technique that allows paint to drip and pool across the surface of the paper. This work features a central void, a characteristic element in his compositions, which draws the eye toward the negative space before it encounters the surrounding bursts of colour.

The composition is defined by its peripheral arrangement of forms. Primary colours, including blue, red, and yellow, are applied with varying degrees of opacity and fluidity. The edges of the paper remain largely unworked, creating a sense of openness and suspension. Francis often utilised the white of the paper as an active component of the image, rather than a mere background. This approach creates a dialogue between the density of the pigment and the emptiness of the surrounding area.

Technically, the work demonstrates the artist's interest in the physical properties of ink and the process of lithography. The splatters and drips suggest a spontaneous application, yet the placement of these elements is deliberate. The interaction between the saturated forms and the clean, white ground provides a sense of energy and movement. Francis spent significant periods in Paris and Japan, and his work frequently reflects an interest in the spatial concepts found in Eastern aesthetics, particularly the balance between presence and absence. This print captures the essence of his mid-career style, where the focus shifted toward a more open, airy structure compared to his earlier, more densely packed canvases. It remains a clear example of his ability to manipulate light and colour through abstract forms.