Artist: Alex Katz
Title: Petunia
Medium: Lithograph on Arches Paper
Sheet size: 30" x 22.25"
Edition: 12/40, Printed by Mourlot Graphics, Ltd., New York. Published by Brooke Alexander, Inc., New York.
Inscription: Signed and numbered on front lower left
Year: 1969
Documentation: Gallery Certificate of Authenticity
"Petunia" is a 1969 lithograph by Alex Katz that reflects the artist's ongoing interest in clarity of form, reductive composition, and the aesthetics of everyday subjects. Rendered on Arches paper, the print depicts a single white petunia with a green stem and leaves set against a flat black background. The composition is marked by its simplicity and bold contrasts, emphasizing Katz's distinctive approach to figuration and his focus on visual immediacy.
Katz's treatment of the flower is emblematic of his broader exploration of iconic imagery. Isolated against the dark field, the petunia appears at once flat and dimensional, its simplified contours and saturated colors drawing attention to the formal qualities of the subject. The image avoids sentimentality and instead offers a cool, composed study of light, color, and shape.
Measuring 30 by 22.25 inches, this print belongs to a limited edition of 40, of which this is number 12. It was printed by Mourlot Graphics, Ltd. in New York and published by Brooke Alexander, Inc., also based in New York. The work is signed and numbered by the artist in the lower left corner.
Note: This piece is currently not framed; the image of it framed is to give you an idea of how it will look when framed.
"Petunia" demonstrates Katz's ability to distill visual experience into essential forms, a hallmark of his printmaking practice. The work is accompanied by a gallery certificate of authenticity.
About Alex Katz
Alex Katz is a prominent American artist celebrated for his pioneering role in modern figurative painting and his distinctive style characterized by bold colors, flat planes, and simplified forms. His work bridges the gap between realism and abstraction, capturing contemporary life with a timeless, graphic clarity that has influenced generations of artists.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on July 24, 1927, Katz grew up in Queens and developed an early interest in art. He pursued formal training at the Cooper Union School of Art in New York City, graduating in 1948. Shortly after, he continued his studies at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine and later at the New York Studio School. These experiences deepened his appreciation for painting from life and honed his technical skills.
During the 1950s, a period dominated by Abstract Expressionism, Katz took a different path. While many artists embraced spontaneous gestural abstraction, he remained committed to figurative work, focusing on portraiture, landscapes, and still lifes. His approach was marked by an economy of detail, emphasizing large, flat areas of color, sharp outlines, and a cool detachment that set his work apart.
Katz's portraits often depict friends, family, and figures from his social milieu, capturing the elegance and style of mid-20th century urban life. His use of scale is notable, with many portraits rendered life-size or larger, lending his subjects a monumental presence. This interest in scale extended to his landscape paintings, where he painted serene outdoor scenes with the same clarity and precision.
One of Katz's significant contributions to contemporary art is his role in the development of the “flat" painting style, which anticipated aspects of Pop Art and Minimalism. His pared-down compositions and vivid colors emphasize surface and form over narrative, challenging traditional ideas about depth and perspective in painting.
In addition to painting, Katz has worked in printmaking, sculpture, and stage design. His collaborations with theater companies, including set and costume designs for operas and dance productions, demonstrate his versatility and keen sense of composition.
Throughout his career, Katz has maintained a steady output, exhibiting widely in major museums and galleries internationally. His work is held in the collections of institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Modern in London, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
Katz's influence extends beyond his own work; his unique vision has inspired artists to explore new ways of representing the human figure and environment with clarity and immediacy. He remains an active and vital presence in the contemporary art world, continuing to create and exhibit work that reflects his lifelong commitment to painting as a direct and immediate mode of expression.
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