Trietto III 1991

Sam Francis created this untitled artwork using acrylic and pastel on paper, evoking a sense of primal energy. The prominent looping shapes bring to mind the ouroboros, an ancient symbol of a snake eating its tail. This circular motif appears across cultures, from ancient Egypt to Norse mythology, representing the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. See how Francis uses vibrant colors within these loops, suggesting life bursting forth, even as the edges dissolve. The spattering of red, reminiscent of blood, could symbolize both destruction and vitality. The grid-like structures seem to harness all of this raw energy. Consider how such symbols tap into our collective unconscious. They resonate deeply because they reflect fundamental aspects of human experience – the endless dance between creation and destruction, the ever-turning wheel of time. Francis has captured something ancient here, a primal rhythm that echoes through history and lives within us all.