Alex Katz (b. 1927) has been dedicated to art-making since the 1950's - however, it wasn't until the 60's when he established his signature 'flat' figurative style. Over the succeeding decades, Katz kept the tradition of figurative painting alive as it had gone out of style.
Katz typically portrays subjects that he is personally connected to, whether it's a location or the people in his life.
This ethereal lithograph was a re-interpretation of a work that Katz created at The Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine, as part of the portfolio Ten Lithographs by Ten Artists. Katz attended the school after graduating from Cooper Union in 1949. It was during this time that first embraced printmaking, learned to paint en plein air, and developed a love for Maine that would last a lifetime.
Against a still, shimmering lake lined with trees, a branch extends from left to right across the composition. The cluster of leaves dance in the wind, their varied forms on full display. It represents the serenity and indulgence in nature that Maine has to offer, and Katz's appreciation of those hazy summer days.
"Late July 2" is executed in low chroma colors - demonstrating a chromatic study of subtle pale shades. This is the practice of observing realistic lighting conditions, and translating the original image into grading values. It's a common process that is taught to painters when they are learning to perfect their techniques.
For Katz, printmaking has always been an essential part of his process, and as an integral part of his oeuvre. He first began experimenting with printmaking while attending Cooper Union, where he earned his BA in 1949. Though he focused on painting in his early career, he embraced printmaking in the mid-1960s with fervour, and has since created more than 400 editions of lithographs, etchings, silkscreens, woodcuts, and linoleum cuts.
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"Late July 2"
USA, 1971
Lithograph in seven colors on Arches paper with a deckled edge bottom
Signed "Alex Katz" and numbered "11/120" in pencil, lower left
From an edition of 120
22”H 28.75”W (sheet)
25"H 31.25"W (framed)
Framed with museum glass
Printer's chop, embossed, lower right
Printed by the Bank Street Atelier, Inc., New York
Published by Brooke Alexander Inc., New York
Very good condition.
Literature:
- Maravell 1983, cat. no. 39; exh. cat. New York 1974, cat. no. 13
- Alex Katz: Catalogue Raisonné, prints: 1947-2023, listed as cat. no. 39 on page 137
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