Born in San Mateo, California, Sam Francis studied botany, medicine, and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, before serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Following his discharge, he turned his focus to art, earning both his bachelor's and master's degrees from UC Berkeley. He later moved to Paris in 1950, where he became deeply influenced by the work of Claude Monet and the aesthetic sensibilities of Japanese art, which helped shape his signature style.

Francis is celebrated for his mastery of color and his unique approach to the canvas, often leaving large areas of white space to create a sense of atmospheric depth. His work frequently utilized fluid, gestural applications of paint, bridging the gap between American Abstract Expressionism and European Art Informel. Throughout his career, he experimented with various media, including oil, acrylic, and printmaking, consistently exploring themes of light, space, and color.

His legacy remains firmly established within the canon of 20th-century abstraction, with his works held in the permanent collections of major institutions worldwide. His influence persists through his extensive body of prints and paintings that continue to be studied for their technical innovation and emotional resonance.