Known for his use of blunt figuration and flat, planar application of color and paint, Alex Katz’s works can be seen as both a reaction to, and visual respite from, the rise of Abstract Expressionism in the 1950s. Katz was born 14 July 1927 in New York City and he undertook formal training at both the Cooper Union School of Art and the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. His initial practice involved using cutout figures primarily comprising painted figures on canvas glued to plywood, and he has maintained the aesthetic of these early works throughout his career. His most recognizable works are large-scale canvases painted with blunt, austere figures set against a monochrome background, omitting most, if not all, context. The occupants of his paintings are left seeming emotionless, and their severe, even graphic representation rejects any attempt at sentimental engagement. Ada, the artist’s wife of more than 60 years, is his muse and frequent subject of his work, appearing in numerous paintings by Katz since they wed in 1958. Although Katz’s career overlapped largely with the height of Abstract Expressionism, he openly rejected the tenets of the movement, going as far as to say, “We compete for audiences, as artists. I’m competing with the Abstract Expressionist guys. I’ll knock ’em off the wall.” And compete he has: Katz had his first solo exhibition at Roko Gallery in New York City in 1954, and in 1986 the Whitney Museum of American Art held his first retrospective. Today, Katz’s work is recognized worldwide, but his popularity is most apparent within the United States, and is held in many of the country’s largest and well known collections including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the National Gallery, Washington, DC; and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Alex Katz

Contemporary Evening Auction

Alex Katz b. 1927 Darinka oil on linen, in two parts overall: 244 by 366 cm. 96⅛ by 144 in. Executed in 1986.

darinka

Yellow Tulips <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/luxury/collectibles?query=signed&amp;locale=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">signed</a> print by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Alex+Katz&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alex Katz</a>, 2014.<ul><li>Alex Katz (American, born 1927).</li><li>15-color silkscreen on 4-ply museum board.</li><li>Signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 50.</li></ul>

Yellow Tulips Signed Print

Red Dogwood I, from Flowers Portfolio by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Alex+Katz&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alex Katz</a>, 2021.<ul><li>Alex Katz (American, born 1927).</li><li>Archival pigment print on Innova Etching Cotton Rich Wove paper.</li><li>Hand-signed and numbered.</li><li>Edition 80/100.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> This archival pigment print is hand signed in pencil “Alex Katz” at the lower left margin. It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 100, at the lower left margin, next to the signature. It was printed and published by Lococo Fine Art, St. Louis in 2021. It bears the publisher's ink stamp, verso. This is one of seven compositions created for the “Flowers Portfolio”, the other compositions are: Peonies, Azaleas on Yellow, Goldenrod, Purple Tulips I, Purple Tulips II, and Red Dogwood II.

Red Dogwood I, from: Flowers Portfolio

Six Aquatints by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=alex+katz&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alex Katz</a>, 2013.<ul><li>Alex Katz (American, born 1927).</li><li>Signed.</li><li>Part of an edition of 25.</li></ul>

Six Aquatints

Night: William Dunas Dance by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Alex+Katz&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alex Katz</a>, 1983.<ul><li>Sold as a set of 4.</li><li>Alex Katz (American, born 1927).</li><li>Lithographs on Arches paper.</li><li>Published by Jackie Fine Arts, New York.</li><li>Printed by Christopher Erikson and Joseph Petruzelli at Sienna Studios, Inc. New York.</li><li>Each is signed and numbered in pencil.</li><li>Part of an edition of 100, AP 42, HC 3.</li><li>Each is presented unframed.</li></ul> A set of prints displaying a dancer (Pamela) in motion. Pamela is a recurring subject in Alex Katz's work, regularly showing up named in the titles of various pieces. This suite depicts her dancing in the style of legendary dancer and choreographer William Dunas. This style was brutal and existential and left both the performer and audience breathing heavily.

Night: William Dunas Dance

Black Dress - Yi, by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Alex+Katz&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alex Katz</a>, 2015.<ul><li>Alex Katz (American, born 1927).</li><li>Silkscreen.</li><li>Signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 35.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul>

Black Dress - Yi

White Visor <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/luxury/collectibles?query=signed&amp;locale=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">signed</a> print by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Alex+Katz&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alex Katz</a>, 2003.<ul><li>Alex Katz (American, born 1927).</li><li>Aquatint in colors, on Somerset Velvet paper.</li><li>Hand signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 75.</li></ul>

White Visor Signed Print

Peonies, from: Flowers Portfolio, 2021, by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Alex+Katz&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alex Katz</a>.<ul><li>Alex Katz (American, born 1927).</li><li>Printed and published by Lococo Fine Art, St. Louis in 2021.</li><li>Archival pigment print on Innova Etching Cotton Rich Wove paper.</li><li>Hand signed and numbered.</li></ul> This archival pigment print is hand signed in pencil “Alex Katz” at the lower left margin. It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 100, at the lower left margin, next to the signature. It bears the publisher's ink stamp, verso. This is one of seven compositions created for the “Flowers Portfolio”, the other compositions are: Azaleas on Yellow, Goldenrod, Purple Tulips I, Purple Tulips II, Red Dogwood I and Red Dogwood II. Please note: This item is excluded from complimentary shipping. Shipping quote will be calculated at time of purchase.

Peonies, from: Flowers Portfolio

Black Dress (Portfolio of 9), by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Alex+Katz&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alex Katz</a>, 2015.<ul><li>Sold as a set of 9.</li><li>Alex Katz (American, born 1927).</li><li>Silkscreen.</li><li>Signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 35.</li></ul>

Black Dress | Portfolio of 9

Blue Hat by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Alex+Katz&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alex Katz</a>, 2004.<ul><li>Alex Katz (American, born 1927).</li><li>Aquatint in colors, on Somerset Velvet paper.</li><li>Hand-signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 75.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul>

Blue Hat

White Roses by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=alex+katz&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alex Katz</a>, 2014.<ul><li>Alex Katz (American, born 1927).</li><li>Silkscreen.</li><li>Signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 50.</li></ul>

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