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 long been out of style.
This striking portrait is executed in Katz's signature style, and inimitably cropped to reveal only the most vital visual information. Presenting both intimacy and urgency, Katz's use of this tight cropping approach likely stems from his fascination with advertising, comics, and cinema.
The slim format is akin to the preparatory oil sketches that Katz creates from life before producing his large scale paintings. (See an example of an oil sketch here.)
Rendered in flat, brushy color planes, the figure directly faces the viewer. Loose strands of hair brush against her cheek, wispy against a fuchsia background. Although Sasha's mouth forms a smile, her stare is gently hypnotic. While at first glance her nature is easygoing, this disconnection of facial features could lead the viewer to question the situation. This sense of tension and mystery is not uncommon when viewing Katz's work.
For the most part, Katz's prints were created using imagery from existing paintings. "Sasha 1" is based off a painting of the same name, that is held in the artist's personal collection.
The detail in this print, translated through high-quality laser printing, is astounding, and an element that is very important to Katz when working on the production of printed editions.
For Katz, printmaking has always been an essential part of his process, and an integral part of his oeuvre. He began experimenting with printmaking while attending Cooper Union, where he earned his BA in 1949. Though he initially focused on painting, he returned to printmaking in the mid-1960s with much enthusiasm. Since then he has created more than 400 editions including lithographs, etchings, silkscreens, woodcuts, and various prints on metal cutouts.
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"Sasha 1"
USA, 2016
Archival pigment ink laser print on Crane Museo Max White 365 g paper
Signed "Alex Katz" and numbered "16/90" by the artist in pencil, lower left
Artist's and publisher's copyright stamp on verso, lower right
Edition: 90, 20 AP, 6 HC, 1 BAT, 1 RTP
32”H 15.5”W (sheet)
37.75"H 19.5"W (framed)
Printed and published by Lococo Fine Art Publisher, St. Louis
Very good condition.
Literature: Alex Katz: Catalogue Raisonné, prints: 1947-2023, listed as cat. no. 601 on page 344
Notes: based on the painting Sasha 1 (2016; detail; collection of the artist).
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