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Ada I

A work made of graphite with erasing on ivory wove paper.
Art © Alex Katz / Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY

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  • A work made of graphite with erasing on ivory wove paper.

Date:

1971

Artist:

Alex Katz
American, born 1927

About this artwork

Alex Katz created many female portraits throughout his career. This graphite composition of his wife, Ada—who is shown frequently in Katz’s oeuvre—is the archetype for his later portrait drawings. Although many of his pencil sketches are studies for paintings, this drawing does not relate to any known painting. In this portrait, the pencil strokes and deep contrasts between light and dark illustrate the strong presence of the sitter, and subsequently Katz’s interest in human psychology and its complexity.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Prints and Drawings

Artist

Alex Katz

Title

Ada I

Place

United States (Artist's nationality)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1971

Medium

Graphite with erasing on ivory wove paper

Dimensions

57.2 × 45.1 cm (22 9/16 × 17 13/16 in.)

Credit Line

Jalane and Richard Davidson Collection

Reference Number

1996.764

Copyright

Art © Alex Katz / Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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