Sam Francis

_{San Mateo, California 1923 - 1994 Santa Monica, California}

Sam Francis was born in San Mateo, California, in 1923. He is regarded as one of the most significant American artists. He studied art history and Applied Arts at the University of California from 1948 to 1950. He was largely influenced by abstract impressionists like Mark Rothko at this time. After finishing his studies, Francis moved to Paris, where he developed his distinct style of Tachism. In 1962, Sam Francis moved back to California and settled in Santa Monica. During the 1970s, the then already established artist devoted himself to action painting. He is regarded as one of the most prominent artists of this movement. Sam Francis died in Santa Monica in 1994.