#2 Pri-Rain - Sam Francis

A 1957 abstract composition by Sam Francis, featuring his signature use of negative space, primary colours, and fluid, gestural mark-making.

Sam Francis, an American painter associated with the second generation of Abstract Expressionism, produced #2 Pri-Rain in 1957. This work displays the artist's characteristic approach to the canvas, where large areas of negative space are balanced by clusters of colour. Francis spent significant time in Paris and Japan, and these experiences informed his unique synthesis of Western gestural painting and Eastern concepts of emptiness or 'ma'.

The composition features a central void, a hallmark of his mid-century output. Around the edges, the artist employs a variety of techniques, including drips, splatters, and broad, sweeping brushstrokes. The palette consists of primary colours, such as yellow, blue, and red, alongside deeper tones that anchor the corners of the frame. The paint application varies from thin, translucent washes to thicker, more opaque marks, creating a sense of movement across the surface.

Unlike the dense, all-over compositions of some of his contemporaries, Francis allows the white ground of the canvas to function as an active element. The arrangement of marks suggests a peripheral focus, drawing the eye toward the centre while simultaneously pushing it back out toward the edges. This specific work reflects his interest in light and atmospheric effects, which he explored throughout his career. The interaction between the controlled drips and the more expansive, fluid shapes demonstrates his technical precision. This print captures the texture and luminosity of the original oil painting, providing a clear view of the artist's mark-making process and his command of colour relationships.