Ariel 2 is a screen print by the American artist Alex Katz. The large-format portrait in orange tones shows Ariel Veith, a model who Alex Katz has often portrayed. Ariel is one of the artist’s many muses from his New York circle. Ariel 2 is an exemplary work by Alex Katz – this print showcases Katz’s clean lines and minimal approach to portraiture, and the monochromatic orange background that is typical of his compositions. These portraits have no clear narrative – it is not important for the viewer to know the person or the story behind the artwork. What Katz is actually trying to emphasize is the beauty of the subjects. The use of soft colors and emphasis on fashionable details in his paintings transforms the coldness of sharp lines, lack of detail and flatness into a work of art for the viewer to enjoy.

Alex Katz – Pioneer of Pop Art

Alex Katz is especially famous for his figurative paintings: The son of Russian Jewish immigrants, he was born in New York in 1927. As a pioneer of Pop Art, he always concentrated on the essentials and early on he began to explore simplified forms and contrasting color compositions. His art is diverse, but always has beauty as its central theme. The artist can now look back on more than 200 solo and around 500 group exhibitions; his diverse works are part of over 100 collections worldwide. Alex Katz lives and works in New York and Maine.