Purple Irises on Red (Albertina 794) is a typical Flowers print by Alex Katz. For over six decades, Alex Katz has drawn inspiration from all types of flowers, transforming wind-blown tiger lilies, marigolds, roses, and petunias into iconic works of Pop Art. This resulted in important works such as Blue Flags and Summer Flowers. By the 1950s, Katz was frustrated that his portraits lacked a sense of movement, so he began painting the wildflowers he discovered near his summer home in Maine. “When I painted the first groups of figures, The Cocktail Party and Lawn Party, I felt they weren’t moving enough,” he said of that moment of inspiration. “And that’s one of the reasons I did the big flower paintings.” Over time, Katz’s floral renderings became more vibrant and lively, often with stems growing in all directions, petals cascading through the air and leaves scattered across the composition. “You can’t look at one thing for a long time, the eye is moving everywhere and in constant motion,” he explained. At a remarkable 180 inches long, Katz’s Red Tulips (1967) is among the artist’s top auction records and sold for $690,600 at Sotheby’s in 2007.

In spring 2023, the new Flowers “Purple Irises on Red”, “Purple Irises on White”, “Yellow Flags on White” and “Yellow Flags on Brown” have been published. Likewise, the new Albertina catalogue raisonné, 1947-2022, has also been published.

Irises have long captivated artists and art enthusiasts alike, their enchanting beauty and intricate structure serving as a muse across various artistic mediums. In modern art, irises hold a profound symbolic meaning that transcends their physical appearance. They represent a convergence of nature and human expression, evoking emotions and conveying messages beyond the mere depiction of a flower.

In modern art, irises are often portrayed with vibrant colors, bold brushstrokes, or experimental techniques that break away from traditional representational forms. Artists employ the iris as a powerful visual element, imbuing it with personal interpretations and narratives. It becomes a vehicle for exploring themes such as introspection, transformation, and the ephemeral nature of existence.

The iris’s symbolism extends beyond its visual allure. It is often associated with notions of spirituality, intuition, and the subconscious. The iris, with its intricate layers and hidden depths, mirrors the complexity of human emotions and the enigmatic aspects of the human psyche. It serves as a visual metaphor for the multidimensionality of the human experience, inviting viewers to contemplate the interplay between the seen and the unseen.

Furthermore, irises have been linked to themes of rebirth and renewal. Their annual cycle of blooming and withering resonates with the cyclical nature of life itself, offering artists a metaphorical language to explore ideas of growth, transformation, and resilience. Irises can symbolize the journey from darkness to light, from chaos to order, or from despair to hope.

In modern art, irises transcend their botanical essence to become vessels for emotions, ideas, and contemplation. They invite viewers to pause, reflect, and delve into the intricate layers of meaning embedded within their delicate petals. Whether as a focal point in a painting, a sculptural element, or an inspiration for abstract compositions, irises continue to evoke a sense of wonder and mystery, fostering a profound connection between the viewer and the artist’s creative expression.

In this ever-changing artistic landscape, irises remain a timeless subject, perpetuating their symbolic significance and inspiring new generations of artists to explore the profound depths of the human experience through their ephemeral and captivating beauty.

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 dealt with 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.