Julie and Alexandra, 1983

Alex Katz, a renowned figure in American contemporary art, is celebrated for his flat, bold, and graphic style that merges abstraction with realism. His artwork often depicts close friends, family, and cultural figures in intimate yet iconic portraits. Katz’s unique visual language emphasizes simplicity and clarity, influenced by both Pop Art and traditional portraiture. His approach strips down the subject to its essence, focusing on bold contours, vibrant colors, and a sense of timeless elegance. Julie and Alexandra (1983) exemplifies this style, featuring two figures rendered with Katz’s signature combination of minimalism and subtle emotional depth.

Julie and Alexandra is a screenprint in colors, created on Arches paper, from an edition of 75. Measuring 37 x 73 7/8 inches, the composition highlights Katz’s ability to depict human connection through his distinctively flattened perspective and cropped compositions. The figures, likely based on people close to the artist, are portrayed with a striking immediacy, yet their expressions and postures suggest calmness and detachment, common themes in Katz’s work. The large scale of the print enhances its visual impact, making the viewer feel almost as if they are part of the scene. This piece, signed and numbered by Katz, showcases his mastery of screenprinting as a medium and reflects his ongoing interest in capturing fleeting moments with enduring resonance.