This summer, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) presents “Alex Katz: Seasons,” a captivating exhibition featuring a new series of landscape paintings by renowned American artist Alex Katz. The exhibition, which opened on July 4 and runs through September 8, 2024, is set in the Donald and Catherine Marron Family Atrium and includes four monumental paintings, each representing a different season. These works, created between 2022 and 2024 in Katz’s New York studio and his summer retreat in Lincolnville, Maine, capture the essence of the changing landscapes on a grand and immersive scale.
Alex Katz, born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1927, is a pivotal figure in contemporary art, celebrated for his distinctive approach to realism and portraiture. Katz’s career spans over seven decades, during which he has continually evolved his style while maintaining a keen focus on capturing the immediacy of the moment. His work is characterized by bold simplicity, vibrant colours, and a unique perspective that often blurs the lines between abstraction and representation. Katz’s influence on the art world is profound, and his latest series, “Seasons,” continues to demonstrate his mastery and innovative spirit.
The exhibition is organized by Ann Temkin, The Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Chief Curator of Painting and Sculpture, with support from Elizabeth Wickham, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Painting and Sculpture, and Lydia Mullin, Manager, Collection Galleries, Department of Curatorial Affairs. This collaboration underscores MoMA’s commitment to showcasing fresh, contemporary works that engage and inspire audiences.
Katz’s “Seasons” series includes four paintings, each monumental in scale, ranging from ten to twenty feet long. These pieces are part of a larger body of over 100 compositions focused on trees and the natural world, created over the past two years. Katz’s process involves starting with photographs taken on his iPhone and smaller painted sketches, which he then translates into large-scale compositions. Notably, Katz eschews the traditional horizon line, which, combined with the vast size of the canvases, creates an immersive experience that envelops the viewer in a continuous landscape.
“Some of our projects at MoMA take nearly a decade to prepare, while others are virtually spur of the moment, as part of our mission to be a platform for brand-new work. These new paintings by Alex Katz, part of a set of more than 100 compositions with trees made over the past two years, show an artist at the top of his game, doing what he’s been doing for decades and somehow still making it entirely new and surprising.” – Ann Temkin
The exhibition is made possible through the generous support of MoMA’s partner, Hyundai Card. Major support is also provided by Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, and by The Contemporary Arts Council of The Museum of Modern Art. This backing highlights the importance of fostering contemporary art and providing artists with the platform to present their latest works to a broader audience.
The Museum of Modern Art is located at 11 West 53rd Street, New York, NY. For more information on visiting hours, ticketing, and other exhibitions, please visit the MoMA website.
Dates: July 4 – September 8, 2024
Location: Donald and Catherine Marron Family Atrium, Museum of Modern Art, New York
“Alex Katz: Seasons” offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and tranquillity of nature through the eyes of one of America’s most enduring and influential artists. Whether you are a long-time admirer of Katz’s work or a newcomer, this exhibition promises to be a highlight of the summer art season.
