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Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights
Through September 5
Exhibitions & Events
America’s 250th

Celebrating American art and artists
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Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

Open 10:00–5:00

Visit
Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission is always free

6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20565

Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights
Through September 5
Exhibitions & Events
America’s 250th

Celebrating American art and artists
Art & Artists
Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

Self-Portrait

1982

Sam Francis

Associated Names

Sam Francis

Artist, American, 1923 - 1994

The image features irregular black shapes and lines against a lighter background in a small rectangle. The black lines and spots form features such as eyes, a nose, and a mouth, resembling a mask or a carved stone sculpture. The design is minimalistic, leaving much of the canvas blank and highlighting the central abstract form with its familiar facial structure.

This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.

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Artwork overview

Medium

sugarlift aquatint in black on Fabriano Tiepolo wove paper
Credit Line

Gift of Sam Francis, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art
Dimensions

plate: 6.7 x 4.8 cm (2 5/8 x 1 7/8 in.)
sheet: 37.9 x 28.3 cm (14 15/16 x 11 1/8 in.)
Accession Number

1991.234.54
Catalogue Raisonné

Lembark 1992, no. I27

Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

1992

Lembark, Connie W. The Prints of Sam Francis: A Catalogue Raisonné, 1960-1990, vol. 1. New York: Hudson Hills Press, 1992, p. 34, no. I27.

Inscriptions

lower left in graphite: AP; lower right in graphite: Sam Francis; lower right verso in graphite by unknown hand: SFE-306 SP-72-IX

Markings

embossed: 3EP / LTD; embossed: IK [Ikuru Kuwahara]

Wikidata ID

Q75117712

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