(1923-1994) is one of the most distinctive and collected 20th-century abstract artists. 

After serving in the Air Force in WW II, Francis returned to California immersing himself in art making. By the end of the 1940s, he was devoted to painting which led him to learn, exhibit, and travel internationally. His formative years were spent in Paris having moved there at the end of 1950. 

In 1953 one of his canvases was included in the MoMA's seminal exhibition "Twelve Artists" which quickly led to his international reputation. 

Francis is stylistically associated with the second generation of abstract expressionist painters. Although American, he was not tethered to New York City, instead spending the 1950s working/exhibiting globally including Paris, Mexico City, and Switzerland. As a result, he is somewhat independent of the collectives and "isms" normally used to describe post-war abstraction.

His inimitable style is consistently present throughout his body of work; a combination of splatter and vaguely biomorphic forms executed in saturated primary colors where a pure white background is revealed or remains exposed.

The 1960s marked an incredibly prolific period for the artist who immersed himself in printmaking, specifically lithography. "Bright Jade Ghost" is an exemplary work from this important era of production, demonstrating Francis' mastery of color, form, and technical prowess. 

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"Bright Jade Ghost" 

USA, 1963

Lithograph on BFK Rives wove paper

Hand signed and numbered by the artist 

From an edition of 125

22"H 35.5"W (sheet)

34.75”H 45"W (framed)

Very good condition