Alex Katz

by Carter Ratcliffe, Robert Storr, Iwona Blazwick

Alex Katz is a towering figure in contemporary painting, a key New York-based artist since the early 1960s. Katz was an independent figure during the heyday of Abstract Expressionism and Pop when he first emerged -- and remains a unique, though highly influential figure to this day. Alex Katz is best known for his distinct portraits of sophisticated, irresistible women, masterfully painted using precise, broad areas of colour. Alongside these unmistakably ‘Katzian’ female portraits are portraits of men, group portraits, landscapes and interiors rendered in painting, drawing, collage and metal cut-outs. All attest to the artist’s attention to detail, economy of means and consummate technique. Bigger-than-life paintings such as The Black Dress (1960), Blue Umbrella (1972), Red Coat (1982) and White Visor (2003) have entered the collective conscience as the epitome of a particular, late 20th century feminine icons of fashion, yet miraculously resilient to the prevailing fashions of contemporary art.

Genres: Art

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 18, 2006

Reviews

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

"By and large I can say that the people who like my work are a better crowd than the people who don't." -Katz

You must respect the absolute...Leo-ness of Alex Katz. He is confident, wry and a master of elegance, style, and "go big or go home." I feel like the easy manners and delicate gestures presented in his portraits are rarely respected in our fast society, at least not by the general public. His images make me want to keep looking and guessing, and I admire that.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about painting. Katz, influenced by Manet, Hopper, Hitchcock and the general theatre of life, produces paintings that combine the talents of all these. He effortlessly portrays the theatricalism of life and conveys the complexities of light in remarkably efficient brush strokes. This book gives different perspectives - interviews, analysis and an overview of the work.

[Max Maslansky · Rating 5 out of 5]

great interviews with a great artist. Great insights into his process.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phaidon continues to pump out excellent and informative artist monographs. This one is no exception.