Alex Katz: The White Coat

Alex Katz's latest series, Vivien in White Coat: 11 large-scale portraits of Vivien Bittencourt wearing a radiant white coat, combines the serial and the sartorial, balancing the specific and the abstract, the intimate and the remote, and the geometric and the gestural. The white coat appears mysterious and enigmatic within each composition.

Format: Hardback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 06 April 2022
Publisher: Richard Gray Gallery

Alex Katz's latest series, "Vivien in White Coat: 11 Large-Scale Portraits," showcases his captivating exploration of the interplay between the serial and the sartorial in his portraits. Commissioned for his 2021 exhibition at Gray Chicago, the series features 11 striking large-scale portraits of Vivien Bittencourt, Katz's daughter-in-law, adorned in a luminous white coat.

Katz employs a monochromatic palette consisting of white, black, and pale blue to create a sense of depth and dimension in his portraits. By radically cropping and magnifying the figure from various dynamic perspectives within the picture plane, he challenges the traditional notion of portraiture and imbues his works with a sense of dynamism and energy.

Through his masterful manipulation of form, line, and color, Katz achieves a harmonious balance between the specific and the abstract, the intimate and the remote, the geometric and the gestural. The figure is positioned in space with deftness, brevity, and sartorial elegance, creating a visually captivating composition.

Despite Katz's emphasis on seriality, the white coat in each composition remains mysterious and enigmatic, adding an air of intrigue and depth to the images. The accompanying essay by renowned curator and writer Jan Verwoert provides valuable insights into Katz's artistic process and influences. Additionally, the series is accompanied by 42 color illustrations that further enhance our understanding and appreciation of his work.

"Alex Katz: The White Coat" is a testament to Katz's enduring legacy as a master of portraiture, showcasing his ability to capture the essence of his subjects with a unique blend of precision, abstraction, and sartorial elegance.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 184 x 228 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780996454094