Stone Cloud

Sam Francis

Abstract Expressionist Sam Francis began making color lithographs in 1960 in Zurich at Emil Matthieu Atelier. His imagery was gestural and spontaneous, splashed and spattered with tusche and dark areas drawn (painted) using a brush.

After returning to the U.S. in 1962 he began working in Los Angeles with Tamarind. In 1963 Francis worked at Tamarind Lithography Workshop between March and November. He produced 17 lithographs, including the black and white 'Stone Cloud', which originally was untitled. He did two experiments using only black. The first was 'Dark Egg' done in March 11-14 and the second was this image, 'Stone Cloud', done between March 29 and April 5.

The printing record for this image includes: a published edition of 20, plus the usual 9 Tamarind Impressions, a B.A.T., 3 Artist's Proofs, and 2 Printers Proofs, for a total printing of 35 impressions.