Flat color and minimal forms contrast the often monumental scales of the paintings by Alex Katz through which he creates portraits and landscapes of deceptive simplicity. Although the signature stark style that defines his prints and other work is now recognizable at a glance, it took him a decade to develop. During that time, he has said he destroyed hundreds of paintings.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Russian émigré parents, Katz’s family moved to Queens when he was a baby and that is where his family’s passion for the arts supported his early creative interests. In 1946, he enrolled at the Cooper Union in Manhattan where he studied painting under Morris Kantor. While he was influenced by the bold colors and hard edges of modernism, he shifted away from the then-dominant Abstract Expressionism movement to figurative scenes of life that have an inherent cool in their pared-down approach. Especially impactful were Katz’s summer studies between 1949 and 1950 at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine, a place where, as he later wrote: “I tried plein air painting and found my subject matter and a reason to devote my life to painting.”
Katz’s first solo show was in 1954 at Roko Gallery in New York. He experimented over the course of the following years with collage and painting on aluminum sheets, with his work in the 1960s drawing inspiration from film and advertising. In the 1970s, Katz expanded into portrait groups that regularly depicted the cultural scene of New York; in the 1980s, he extended his focus to fashion and its supermodels. Since the late 1950s, an enduring muse for his portraits has been his wife, Ada, while others have painted friends and famous figures. The intimate closeness of the frequently cropped faces in Katz’s portraits exudes a sense of tension with the subjects’ enigmatic expressions and planes of color.
In the 1960s, Katz collaborated with American dancer and choreographer Paul Taylor on sets and costumes. His concentration on landscapes emerged in the late 1980s, with atmospheric night views joining his practice, which had previously been defined by bright colors. Always finding new perspectives on his work, he has explored using iPhone photographs as the basis for large-scale compositions in recent years.
Katz’s prolific career has spanned sculpture, prints and public art along with his paintings and drawings, and his works can be found in the collections of leading museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art and Museum of Modern Art. He has had over 250 solo exhibitions around the world and continues to be acclaimed. In 2022, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum opened a major retrospective of his art.
Find Alex Katz art today on 1stDibs.
$14,400Sale Price|20% Off
Ariel 2 (large framed hand signed silkscreen)
By Alex Katz
Located in Aventura, FL
Screen print in colors on Saunders Waterford paper. Hand signed by Alex Katz lower left. Hand numbered 27/60 lower left (there were also 20 artist's proofs). Artwork size: 60 x 37...
Screen, Paper
Alex Katz 'Dancer 2' Signed Aluminum Cutout 2020
By Alex Katz
Located in Miami, FL
ALEX KATZ (1927-Present) Katz' 2020 'Dancer 2' is a cutout with UV-cured archival inks on shaped powder-coated aluminum, mounted to aluminum base. Incised 'Alex Katz', dated and num...
Metal
Ada 2 (Outline) - shining, silvery, beauty, sculpture, polished aluminum
By Alex Katz
Located in Köln, DE
"Ada 2 (Outline)" is a stunning piece of art. Usually, Katz is well known for his cut-outs, but this is an "outline" sculpture made of high glossy polished aluminum. It is light as a...
Bronze
Alex Katz 'Yvonne' Stainless Steel Multiple with Impressed Signature 2018
By Alex Katz
Located in Miami, FL
ALEX KATZ (1927-Present) This Alex Katz work 'Yvonne' is a 2018 cutout in powder-coated aluminum, UV archival inks, stainless steel. The signature impressed to the base ‘Alex Katz’....
Stainless Steel
Dancer 2 (cutout) - ballet, dancing, light blue, black, blonde, dress
By Alex Katz
Located in Köln, DE
"Dancer 1" is from Alex Katz Dancer series. He is obsessed by fashion and the ballet and often works together with models and dancers. His works show ...
Other Medium
$15,960Sale Price|20% Off
Jessica (Cutout, Weather Vane), rare aluminum sculpture
By Alex Katz
Located in Aventura, FL
Screen print in colors, on two sides of cut aluminum, mounted on a metal stand and base. Hand singed by Alex Katz on verso. Hand numbered 2/35 on verso (there were also 7 artist's ...
Metal
$55,000
Cow
By Alex Katz
Located in New York, NY
signed and numbered in verso silkscreened printed in enamel inks on shaped aluminum with bronze base 48 1/8 x 72 5/8 x 10 1/2 in from edition of 25
Bronze, Enamel
$17,600Sale Price|20% Off
Dancer 2 (Cutout), rare aluminum sculpture
By Alex Katz
Located in Aventura, FL
Cutout from shaped powder-coated aluminum, printed the same on each side with UV-cured archival inks, clear coated and mounted to a 3/8 inch aluminum base. Artist's signature incis...
Metal
$25,314
Black Dress 9 (Christy) - 21st Century, Alex Katz, Figurative Sculpture, Woman
By Alex Katz
Located in Köln, DE
The "Black Dress" sculptures by Alex Katz are more than figurative sculptures. They are a homage to elegance, fashion and the female body. This cut-out is made from powder-coated alu...
Other Medium
Dancer 3 on Rod
By Alex Katz
Located in Fairfield, CT
Edition of 15
Metal
Black Dress 2 (Cecily) - 21st Century, Alex Katz, Figurative Sculpture, Woman
By Alex Katz
Located in Köln, DE
The "Black Dress" sculptures by Alex Katz are more than figurative sculptures. They are a homage to elegance, fashion and the female body. This cut-out is made from powder-coated alu...
Other Medium
Price Upon Request
Cow, Pop Art Sculpture by Alex Katz
By Alex Katz
Located in Long Island City, NY
Alex Katz, American (1927 - ) - Cow Sculpture, Year: 2004, Medium: Screenprinting aluminum (double-sided), signed and numbered in pen lower left, Edition: 99, Size: 41.25 x 16.25...
Metal
Price Upon Request
Dancer II, Alex Katz
By Alex Katz
Located in New York, NY
Created as a three-dimensional cut-out on aluminum by Alex Katz in 2020, Dancer II is printed the same on each side with UV-cured archival inks and mounted on an aluminum base. With...
Archival Ink
Price Upon Request
Maine Cow, Sculpture by Alex Katz
By Alex Katz
Located in Long Island City, NY
A mixed media sculpture by Alex Katz from 2007. A three-dimensional representation of a cow lounging in a pasture. Artist: Alex Katz, American (1927 - ) ...
Aluminum, Bronze
$2,500
H 15 in W 14 in D 7 in
“Glitter Balloon Pink” – Deep Acrylic Glittered Cast Wall Mount
By Plastic Jesus
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Plastic Jesus is a Los Angeles based street artist that specializes in bold stencil and installation work, inspired by world news events, society, the urban environment, culture and ...
Acrylic Polymer, Glitter
$7,950
H 24 in W 20 in
Nude Bronze Figurative Sculpture 'Morning Glory' by Carl Payne
By Carl Payne
Located in Shrewsbury, Shropshire
'Morning Glory' by Carl Payne is a beautiful Nude Bronze Figurative Sculpture - part of a series of works based on Greek Myths. Continuing a successful career in England and Ireland, Carl joined Callaghan Fine Paintings and Works of Art at the beginning of 2004 in order to dedicate his time to create and develop stunning individual contemporary sculpture. Carl is a Staffordshire based sculptor for whom art has played a large part in his academic work taking him through the Burslem School of Art, the Henry Doulton School of Sculpture and then to Stafford College. After qualifying in Figurative Sculpture he launched his career with commission after commission which has now secured his reputation for fine quality workmanship both in life-size format and smaller decorative pieces. The list of his completed commissioned work is extensive, including many ‘house-hold’ names from the sporting world, commerce and the past. The following are just some of the private and publicly commissioned completed works that form Carl’s prestigious portfolio:- King George 5th and Queen Mary – life size portrait buste commissioned by Cunards Cruise Ships and located in the ballroom of the Queen Mary 2...
Bronze
Skull Dollars - Pop Art Sculptures
By Alben
Located in New York, NY
Cheeky references to pop culture and the societal context. Grounded in a postmodern vernacular, Alben’s paintings and sculptures are a pastiche of art historical moments including P...
Epoxy Resin, Mixed Media
$912Sale Price|52% Off
H 7.5 in W 14.6 in D 6.5 in
After Botero - Horizontal Nude Woman Bronze Sculpture
By Fernando Botero
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
After Fernando Botero – RECLINING NUDE Bronze Sculpture Edition of 50 This beautifully executed bronze sculpture is an After Fernando Botero work, created in faithful homage to th...
Marble, Bronze
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 13 in W 8.5 in D 7.5 in
Bunny Love III Sculpture, Mixed Media and Glass, Pop Art, Signed 2025
By CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
Signed and dated 2025. OPEN FOR COMMISSIONS!!! This BUNNY LOVE sculpture was created as a homage to a powerful artist friend, as a a recollection and dedication to a creative person...
Glass, Mixed Media
$5,500
H 16.15 in W 11.82 in D 7.88 in
Amancio. rude character. original sculpture iron bronce
By Amancio Gonzalez Morera
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Amancio. rude character. original sculpture iron bronce Sculpture by the Spanish artist AMANCIO GONZALEZ Artist well known for his large format works on the street. Iron and bronze A...
Bronze, Iron
$3,180
H 31.5 in W 23.63 in
Light Haze Day - Japanese, Contemporary, Gold, Pop Art
By Yoshitomo Nara
Located in London, GB
3 x skateboard decks Each deck measure approx. 31x8in (80x20cm) Made of 7-ply Grade A Canadian Maple wood 3 x Sk8ology Invisible Floating Skateboard Deck Snap Display wall mount incl...
Wood, Screen
$2,652
H 9.85 in W 5.91 in D 3.15 in
Dancer With Long Tutu by Yann Guillon - Bronze sculpture, ballet, woman, elegant
By Yann Guillon
Located in Paris, FR
Dancer With Long Tutu is a bronze sculpture by contemporary artist Yann Guillon, dimensions are 25 × 15 × 8 cm (9.8 × 5.9 × 3.1 in). Height of the sculpture with the metal base: 45 c...
Bronze
$578Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.42 in W 8.27 in D 6.7 in
Unique Female Architectural Cement Sculpture - "LarA 003", Intense Blue Tinteds
By Jose Perozo
Located in FISTERRA, ES
"LarA 003" is a unique sculpture from the LarA series, created by Spanish sculptor José Perozo in 2024. Measuring 21 x 29 x 17 cm and hand-tinted in an intense blue tone, this piece ...
Concrete
$4,556
H 9.85 in W 7.88 in D 5.91 in
Forest Ape I - 21st Century bronze sculpture of a Orangutan
By Antoinette Briet
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
Antoinette Briet (Dutch artist) Forest Ape I 25 x 20 x 15 cm Bronze Antoinette Briet's sculpture can be called both a figurative and an abstract work of art. Her sculpted animals sh...
Bronze
$2,652
H 9.85 in W 5.91 in D 3.15 in
Dancer “Takeoff” II by Yann Guillon - Figurative bronze sculpture, man, torso
By Yann Guillon
Located in Paris, FR
Dancer “Takeoff” II is a bronze sculpture by contemporary artist Yann Guillon, dimensions are 25 × 15 × 8 cm (9.8 × 5.9 × 3.1 in). Height of the sculpture with the metal base: 40 cm ...
Bronze
CHROMA "CHUM" ALTERATION SERIES
By CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
ALTERATION ART . . . is a collaboration process between Rick Wolfryd, fine artist and art dealer with over 40 years experience, and various Mexican Huichol artists and Mexican Huicho...
Glass, Plastic, Mixed Media
ALEX KATZ "Black Dress - 8" 2018
By Alex Katz
Located in Pembroke Pines, FL
Artist: Alex Katz Title: Black Dress 8 Medium: Cutout from shaped aluminum Size: 23 x 8 x 2 inches Edition: XX/35 Year: 2018 Signature: Incised signature...
Metal
ALEX KATZ "Black Dress - 3" 2018
By Alex Katz
Located in Pembroke Pines, FL
Artist: Alex Katz Title: Black Dress 3 Medium: Cutout from shaped aluminum Size: 23 x 8 x 2 inches Edition: XX/35 Year: 2018 Signature: Incised signature Condition: Artwork is in exc...
Metal
ALEX KATZ "Black Dress - Yvonne 6" 2018
By Alex Katz
Located in Pembroke Pines, FL
Artist: Alex Katz Title: Black Dress 6 Medium: Cutout from shaped aluminum Size: 23 x 8 x 2 inches Edition: XX/35 Year: 2018 Signature: Incised signature Condition: Artwork is in exc...
Metal
Alex Katz - Cow, 2004 - Screenprint on cut aluminum
By Alex Katz
Located in Pembroke Pines, FL
Alex Katz Cow, 2004 Screenprint on cut aluminum in forty-five colors sculpture, printed on recto and verso 16 5/8 × 41 1/2 × 1/8 in. - 42.2 × 105.4 × 0.3 cm. Edition Number: AP 2/15 ...
Metal, Bronze
ALEX KATZ "BLACK DRESS 7" 2018
By Alex Katz
Located in Pembroke Pines, FL
Artist: Alex Katz Title: Black Dress 7 Medium: Cutout from shaped aluminum Size: 23 x 8 x 2 inches Edition: 11/35 Year: 2018 Signature: Incised signature Condition: Artwork is in exc...
Metal
ALEX KATZ "BLACK DRESS 5 (ULLA)" 2018
By Alex Katz
Located in Pembroke Pines, FL
Artist: Alex Katz Title: Black Dress 5 (Ulla) Medium: Cutout from shaped aluminum Size: 23 x 8 x 2 inches Edition: 11/35 Year: 2018 Signature: Incised signature Condition: Artwork is...
Metal
BLACK DRESS 1 (YI)
By Alex Katz
Located in Aventura, FL
From Black Dress portfolio. Cutouts from shaped powder-coated aluminum, printed the same on each side with UV cured archival inks, clear coated, and mounted to 1/4 inch stainless ste...
Metal
Sold
H 22.84 in W 7.09 in D 3.15 in
Black Dress 8 (Ruth) - 21st Century, Alex Katz, Figurative Sculpture, Woman
By Alex Katz
Located in Köln, DE
The "Black Dress" sculptures by Alex Katz are more than figurative sculptures. They are a homage to elegance, fashion and the female body. This cut-out is made from powder-coated alu...
Other Medium
Sold
H 22.84 in W 7.09 in D 3.15 in
Black Dress 7 (Carmen) - 21st Century, Alex Katz, Figurative Sculpture, Woman
By Alex Katz
Located in Köln, DE
The "Black Dress" sculptures by Alex Katz are more than figurative sculptures. They are a homage to elegance, fashion and the female body. This cut-out is made from powder-coated alu...
Other Medium
"Coca-Cola Girl"
By Alex Katz
Located in Köln, DE
After the series of "Coca-Cola Girls", Alex Katz published a small Coca-Cola Cut out. In 2021 the large-scale sculpture "Coca-Cola Girl" appeared. The two-side sculpture is made of h...
Enamel
BLACK DRESS 1 (YI)
By Alex Katz
Located in Aventura, FL
From Black Dress portfolio. Cutouts from shaped powder-coated aluminum, printed the same on each side with UV cured archival inks, clear coated, and mounted to 1/4 inch stainless ste...
Metal
BLACK DRESS 2 (CECILY)
By Alex Katz
Located in Aventura, FL
From Black Dress portfolio. Cutouts from shaped powder-coated aluminum, printed the same on each side with UV cured archival inks, clear coated, and mounted to 1/4 inch stainless ste...
Metal