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Question: Alex Katz Biography
Answer: The Logic of Surface
Alex Katz (born 1927) is a Brooklyn-born visionary who spent 70 years proving that "surface" is as deep as "soul." Educated at The Cooper Union and the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Katz rejected the gestural angst of the 1950s in favor of a "hard-edged" realism. His primary muse is his wife, Ada Del Moro, whom he has painted over 250 times since 1957—a body of work that serves as a visual history of American style. Katz’s technique involves "painting in the present tense," often working on wet-on-wet surfaces to capture the fleeting quality of light and perception. Beyond his massive canvases, he pioneered the Cutout—a freestanding sculpture that eliminates the background entirely. Today, at nearly 100 years old, he remains incredibly prolific, with works held in major collections like The Met, The Guggenheim, and The Tate. In 2024, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Biden, cementing his status as a titan of American modernism.
At Herndon Fine Art, we have followed Alex Katz’s "cool" evolution for 40 years. Our collection is a vetted selection of Vetted Consignments (RH code) and Vetted Dealer Networks, focusing on his iconic "Ada" portraits and his vibrant floral series like Yellow Flags. Because Katz’s work relies on perfectly flat, unmodulated color, our vetting process ensures that the canvas surface is free from the "surface scuffs" or "pitting" that can occur with high-gloss oils. We stand behind every signature with our A+ BBB commitment. |
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Question: What are "Cutouts"?
Answer: Invented by Katz in 1959, Cutouts are portraits painted on a flat substrate (originally wood, now usually aluminum) and then physically cut out. They occupy a "liminal space" between painting and sculpture. At Herndon Fine Art, we verify these as "Specific Objects" in your database, as they represent some of his most innovative technical achievements. |
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Question: Why is "Ada" his most valuable subject?
Answer: Ada is the "Mona Lisa" of the 20th century. Her features are so synonymous with Katz's brand that they command the highest premiums. The Katz market is currently in a "Blue Chip" frenzy; while major Ada paintings like Blue Umbrella I have realized over $4.1M, his hand-signed limited edition prints consistently realize between $5,000 and $35,000 on the secondary market. |
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Question: How do I identify a "Vetted" Katz print?
Answer: Katz typically signs in a loose, cursive hand in pencil in the lower left or right. Many of his prints include a "blind stamp" from the publisher, such as Simca Print Artists or Lococo Fine Art. We use our 40 years of experience to verify these markings against the Schröder Catalog Raisonne to ensure factual authenticity. |
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Question: Why are "Ada" portraits the top tier of the Katz market?
Answer: Katz has painted his wife, Ada, for over 60 years. In the print and painting market, an "Ada" image (like Blue Umbrella) will almost always outsell a general landscape or a different model. She is the "Mona Lisa" of the contemporary Pop market. |
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Question: What is a "Cut-Out" sculpture?
Answer: Katz pioneered the "Cut-Out"—paintings on thin sheets of metal or wood that are shaped to the figure and stand alone. These are a hybrid of painting and sculpture. They are highly collectible because they offer the "Katz Look" in a 3D space. |
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Question: Does "Size" matter in Katz prints?
Answer: Yes. Katz is famous for "Monumental" scale. His extra-large silkscreens (4 feet or larger) are the most desirable because they capture the "Billboard" aesthetic that defined his career. Smaller prints are more accessible but don't hold the same "Presence" value. |
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Question: How do "Vetted Consignment" and "Vetted Dealer Network" listings differ?
Answer: At Herndon Fine Art, we believe in actual conversation over "marketing smoke." Vetted Consignments (RH code) are pieces sourced from private estates—often long-term collectors from his early Soho days—that we have physically inspected. Vetted Dealer Network (TAC or AE) listings come from our trusted partners like Gladstone Gallery. Regardless of the source, our reputation stands behind every signature. |
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Question: Why should I consult with Herndon Fine Art for a Katz purchase?
Answer: Because Katz’s style is so deceptively simple, it is highly sensitive to condition issues. Any scratch or fingerprint on a flat background is immediately visible and significantly devalues the piece. We use our experience to check for these "condition-critical" flaws and verify the ink saturation in his screenprints. We don't do "shopping cart" sales; we want to talk with you directly to ensure the "unmodulated brilliance" of the piece is perfect for your collection. |
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1. EVERY piece of art receives my personal verification of condition and authentication.
2. I WILL NOT ship artwork that isn't in a condition I would accept into my own collection.
3. An A+ Rating from the Better Business Bureau
***** ALL PRICES are set by each Seller based on their Unique Motivation to Sell ***** We have a low commission structure of only
25% above each Seller's asking price or a $minimum commission. This allows us to provide buyers with the best price, sellers a better opportunity to sell, and still keep the lights on. In almost all cases, artwork is shipped unframed (UNLESS The ARTWORK IS ON CANVAS or 3-DIMENSIONAL), as I need to personally verify the artworks' authenticity and condition. Artwork that is shipped Framed is shipped framed to protect the work during shipping. Framing is considered USED
NOTE: Inventory is continuously changing so view your favorite artists pages often. For information on having your inventory added to our Website, contact us at the address below.
Click on the Link below and Join us as a Friend for ongoing featured information
Every client has different motivations for selling and as such we don't offer pricing on the pieces clients sell
If you are looking for the value of your limited edition artwork -- we have a $50 charge for certificates of value if you provide the title, the number of your piece, and an image of your artwork. Original one-of-a-kind pieces require a formal appraisal. Please see our Appraisal Services page.
All information contained in these web pages is trademarked and copyrighted by Herndon Fine Art (c). All visual copyrights belong to the artists. All rights reserved. |
