Sam Gilliam (American, 1933-2022) Composition with Diagonal, 1982 Acrylic on joined canvas 60 x 60 inches (152.4 x 152.4 cm) Signed, titled, and dated on reverse: Composition with Diagonal / Sam Gilliam / 1982 Property from an Important Corporate Collection, Washington, D.C. PROVENANCE: The artist; Acquired by the present owner from the above. A pioneering force in postwar American abstraction, Sam Gilliam redefined the possibilities of painting through his radical engagement with color, material, and form. Emerging from the Washington, D.C. art scene in the 1960s, Gilliam became closely associated with the Washington Color School, yet quickly distinguished himself by pushing beyond its conventions. His innovations—most notably his draped and shaped canvases—expanded the boundaries of painting into the realm of sculpture, challenging traditional notions of support, surface, and space. Composition with Diagonal from 1982 exemplifies Gilliam's mature practice at a moment of confident synthesis. The work departs from the conventional rectangular format, instead presenting a dynamic, irregularly shaped composition formed through joined and layered canvas elements. This construction emphasizes the work's physicality: the painting takes on a near-sculptural quality, with a strong sense of three-dimensional presence. The angled geometry—anchored by a strong diagonal thrust—creates a sense of movement and tension, guiding the viewer's eye across a richly textured surface. Gilliam's handling of color is equally compelling. Earth tones of ochre, rust, and deep red intermingle with cooler passages of blue and green, creating a complex, atmospheric field. The surfaces range from smooth to heavily worked, suggesting both gestural spontaneity and deliberate layering. Light interacts with the textured passages, producing subtle shifts in tone that animate the composition. As in much of Gilliam's work, color functions not merely as decoration, but as structure—defining space, rhythm, and emotional resonance. As an African American artist working during a period of profound social and political change, Gilliam occupies a singular position within the history of abstraction. While his work is not overtly figurative or narrative, it nevertheless engages deeply with questions of identity, freedom, and innovation. By asserting his presence within—and ultimately transforming—the language of abstraction, Gilliam expanded the possibilities for Black artists within a field historically dominated by white practitioners. His achievements stand as both an artistic and cultural breakthrough. Composition with Diagonal carries distinguished provenance, having been acquired directly from the artist by a Washington, D.C.–based law firm, where it has remained for decades. Such direct lineage underscores the authenticity and integrity of the piece, while situating it firmly within the context of Gilliam's own community and professional network. In Composition with Diagonal, Gilliam achieves a powerful balance between structure and improvisation, material and color, object and image. The result is a work that is both visually arresting and historically significant—an embodiment of the artist's enduring contribution to the evolution of modern American art. HID12401132022 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

The artist; Acquired by the present owner from the above.

Condition report available upon request.