Sam Francis at the Crocker

Untitled, 1980, Acrylic on canvas

The day I decided to attend the Crocker Museum to see this exhibition I met a women at breakfast and she gave me two passes for free entry to the museum. After seeing the show I was very happy that I didn’t have to pay that day. I was unimpressed with the work, abstract art has never been my favorite but I thought I would check it out anyway. I thought there was a large amount of work being shown, though expected in a retrospective, but I didn’t think it was overly crowded. 

After De Chirico, 1946, Oil on Canvas

(Clockwise) Migrant Camp-CAL., c. 1946, Watercolor on paper, Untitled (Winter Flurry), c.1946, Watercolor
on paper, Untitled, 1945/46, Ink and Watercolor on paper, Late Summer, 1945, Watercolor on paper

The Secret Room, 1946, Egg tempera on Masonite panel

His work ranged in sized a lot, and I felt there were a nice variety of pieces shown. Though his typical splattered, colorful works that he is most known for did not do anything for me, I did particularly enjoy his works done in the 40’s. The pieces that were on display were so far from his adapted style and I enjoyed them. The more surrealistic works done were pretty amazing, especially After De Chirico, the strange objects, harsh dark shadows, and distant horizon line was more exciting that any of the other works in this whole show. This small dreamlike painting showed where his initial inspirations came from before he decided to join the realm of abstract expressionism.

Myself in front of Untitled NO. 11, 1972-73,
Acrylic and oil on canvas

(Close up) Untitled, 1974/1976, Acrylic on canvas

Untitled (Self Portrait), 1974
Acrylic on paper

Untitled, 1973, Ink and egg tempera on
paper

I really enjoyed the earlier works in this show and would have liked to see more. It was interesting to see where his art had started and what it transformed into over the years. I would only suggest this show if someone was already at the Crocker otherwise I don’t think its worth the trip.

Untitled, Acrylic on Shaped Canvas