Alex Katz (born 1927) is an American figurative artist renowned for his iconic style and imagery, drawing inspiration from various aspects of mid-century American culture and society, such as television, film, and advertising. Often hailed as the preeminent painter of modern life, Katz’s bright and lyrical works reflect his fascination with narratives and the accessibility of figuration through their simplicity. By flattening the surfaces of his two-dimensional pieces with blocks of color, the artist departed from the Abstract Expressionism of the 1950s and remained independent of any specific artistic school or movement.

The effortlessness and exploratory nature of form found in Katz’s extensive portfolio have served as inspiration for numerous artists over the years, including figures like Laura Owens and Peter Doig. His impact has extended beyond the art world, introducing the public to art that is both accessible and legible. His work resides in more than 100 public collections, including prestigious institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, The Tate Gallery in London, and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.