Ada 2 by Alex Katz

Alex Katz’ impressive eight decade long career, is devoted to the intricacy of human perception, and the exploration of the here and now, otherwise referred to as “painting in the present tense”. Emerging in the heyday of Abstract Expressionism and right before the boom of Pop Art, Alex Katz masterfully combines coolness with intimacy through his formal training in fashion, advertising, and film. Whether depicting his wife Ada, whom he depicted over 250 times throughout his career, or an everyday aspect of nature, Katz renders his subject to its simplest form and color, highlighting specific details and imperfections to emphasize their beauty. 

Born in New York, Alex Katz (b. 1927) is an American figurative artist known for his highly stylized paintings, prints and sculpture. His commitment to figuration would lead him to become one of the most celebrated and recognized artists in contemporary figurative painting. Today, Katz’ work resides in institutions worldwide, including The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Tate Modern in London, and the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., among others.