Alex Katz

Night: William Dunas Dance 2 (Pamela)

1983

Lithograph on Arches paper

63.5 × 78.7 cm

Ed. Artist’s Proof (AP) from an edition of 100

Location: Paris, France

7,030 € 7030.0 EUR 7,030 €

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About the artwork

This lithograph exemplifies Alex Katz’s distinctive approach to portraiture, where clarity of line, economy of detail, and bold planes of color define the emotional and visual impact of the image. Depicting a figure seen from behind, arms raised in a moment of serene upward motion, the work invites the viewer into a quiet and intimate gesture. Katz reduces the scene to its essential shapes, sweeping contours, luminous blond hair, and the flat expanses of teal and lavender, creating a composition that feels simultaneously spontaneous and meticulously composed. The refined surface quality achieved through the lithographic process underscores Katz’s lifelong engagement with printmaking as a parallel, equally important extension of his painting practice. Printed by Christopher Erikson and Joseph Petruzelli at Sienna Studios, the edition reflects the technical excellence associated with Katz’s collaborations during the 1970s and 1980s. As an Artist’s Proof, this impression belongs to a small, privileged subset outside the numbered edition of 100. APs are traditionally reserved for the artist, printers, and collaborators, making them especially sought after by collectors.

Expert opinion

This lithograph stands out within Katz’s printmaking oeuvre for its balance of intimacy and abstraction. Works depicting figures from behind have become particularly valued by collectors, as they reflect Katz’s ability to convey personality and atmosphere without relying on facial expression. The piece benefits from its execution at Sienna Studios, one of the finest independent print shops of its era, known for producing some of the most technically crisp and color-rich prints in Katz’s catalogue. The flatness and precision achieved here are representative of Katz’s mature mastery—a quality that has made his prints increasingly desirable on the market. As an Artist’s Proof, the work also carries intrinsic rarity and symbolic importance. APs tend to remain closely held, and when they appear on the market, they are often sought after by buyers who prioritize exclusivity and proximity to the artist’s hand.

About the artist

Alex Katz (b. 1927) is an American painter, printmaker, and sculptor, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in postwar and contemporary art. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, Katz studied at Cooper Union in New York and later at the Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture in Maine, where he developed his lifelong interest in working from direct observation and in capturing the immediacy of the visible world. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Katz forged a distinctive style marked by flat planes of bold color, sharply defined contours, and an economy of detail. His approach anticipated aspects of both Pop Art and Minimalism, yet remained firmly rooted in the traditions of portraiture and landscape painting. Katz became particularly known for his striking portraits of friends, poets, dancers, and especially his wife Ada, who has appeared in hundreds of his works. Over the decades, Katz expanded his practice to include large-scale paintings, cutout sculptures, and an extensive printmaking oeuvre. His images of landscapes—especially trees, fields, and twilight scenes—have become central to his late-career production, demonstrating remarkable freshness and vitality. Katz’s work has been exhibited in major museums worldwide, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, MoMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery of Art, and the Centre Pompidou. His influence can be seen in generations of younger painters working today. Celebrated for his clarity, elegance, and graphic precision, Alex Katz continues to produce new work well into his nineties, remaining one of the most enduring and iconic voices in contemporary painting.

Additional info

Signed 3x

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