Sam Francis (American, 1923–1994) is known for his large-scale colorful and abstract paintings. Francis incorporated elements of Abstract Expressionism, Color Field, Impressionism, and Eastern art and philosophy into his work.

Francis was born on June 25, 1923 in San Mateo, California. At 18, he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Second World War, but was injured and returned to California. He received his B.A. and M.A. from UC Berkeley in botany and psychology before pursuing a career in art. Francis was influenced by Jackson Pollock and Clyfford Still. Oftentimes critics compared his work to Helen Frankentheler's. Francis traveled extensively and showed all over the world. He was a founding trustee of Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. Sam Francis' work can be found in collections worldwide including major museums like the Kunstmuseum Basel, Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, among others.