ART AFICIONADO: Alex Katz

Monday, July 24, 2023

Alex Katz

Art Appreciation

Alex Katz, the renowned American figurative artist born on July 24, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York, is celebrated for his unique style and masterful depiction of life through his exceptional paintings and prints. Over the span of more than six decades, he has made a lasting impact on the art world, earning widespread admiration and recognition for his significant contributions to modern art.

His artistic journey began at the Cooper Union in New York, where he studied from 1946 to 1949, followed by a stint at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine from 1949 to 1950. It was during his time in Maine that he honed his skills as an artist, exploring plein air, figurative, and post-abstract painting.

In a serendipitous moment during a gallery opening in 1957, Alex Katz crossed paths with Ada Del Moro, a biology student at New York University, who would go on to become his muse and eventually his wife. Throughout his career, he created more than 250 portraits of Ada, immortalizing her captivating presence in his art.

During the 1960s, as the Pop Art movement surged in popularity, some saw similarities between Katz's work and the movement's focus on everyday culture. However, Katz maintained his individuality, deliberately avoiding being pigeonholed as a Pop artist. His preference for painting the human form on large canvases, with a distinct aesthetic vision, set him apart from the irony and commercial imagery typically associated with Pop Art.

In addition to his remarkable paintings, Katz left a significant impact in the world of printmaking, producing over 400 print editions using various techniques like lithography, etching, silkscreen, woodcut, and linoleum cut.

One of his notable accomplishments came in 1977 when he created a massive billboard installation above Times Square featuring 23 portrait heads of women, measuring an impressive 247 feet. Moreover, he was commissioned to craft an oil-on-canvas mural at the U.S. Attorney's Building in New York City's Foley Square.

Katz's artistic style is characterized by its boldness, simplicity, and visually striking elements. When asked about his approach to starting a painting, he revealed that he begins with small sketches and seeks to capture the sensation of images and the energy they exude on the canvas. His use of clean lines, flat color planes, and minimalist backgrounds on large-scale canvases fosters a profound sense of intimacy and immediate connection with the viewer.