Sweatshirt 2, 1990

In Alex Katz’s self-portrait “Sweatshirt 2” (1990), the artist offers an introspective glimpse into his persona.This silkscreen print on paper captures Katz’s visage with a subdued palette and his signature flattened aesthetic. The focus is on Katz’s facial features, framed by the collar of a sweatshirt, evoking intimacy. The work exemplifies Katz’s mastery of the printmaking medium and his innovative approach to portraiture, utilizing bold shapes and minimal detail to convey a sense of presence. By simplifying the background and attire, Katz emphasizes the subject’s gaze, drawing viewers into the emotional core of the piece. The image’s flattened planes and graphic contours exhibit the artist’s stylistic fusion of figuration and abstraction, effectively conveying complex emotions through simplified forms.