Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is treated as still under copyright. Alex Katz was born in 1927 and has no recorded death date; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.
In context
Thursday night — Alex Katz
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span, counting 0 from birth.
Painted when the artist was 47. 11 of the 34 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
▲ this work, 1974 every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1972 Main working years: 1972–1997 Late works: from 1997
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/alex-katz-thursday-night-AE3M8T-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Sea Green #40667c
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 57.2% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 229 works by this artist, of which 61 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 6 of them, with 3.1% of that attention. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
About this artwork
Thursday night — Alex Katz
Alex Katz, a renowned American artist associated with the Pop Art movement, has created numerous iconic works that have captivated art enthusiasts worldwide. One of his notable pieces is "Thursday Night," painted in 1974. This black and white depiction of a group of people in a room showcases Katz's unique style and technique.
The painting features nine individuals dressed in business attire, engaged in conversation or discussing something important. The men are wearing ties, which can be seen on their shirts. The room is furnished with two couches and a chair, providing seating for the group of people. One couch is located near the left side of the painting, while the other is situated in the middle-right area. The chair is positioned towards the right side of the scene. In addition to the people and furniture, there are two clocks visible in the room. One clock can be seen on the wall above the couches, while the other is located near the top left corner of the painting.
Katz's style is characterized by simplicity and flat, stylized planes of color. He often depicts his close circle of family and friends, with his wife Ada Del Moro appearing in numerous portraits since their marriage in 1958. Katz's works are inspired by films, billboard ads, music, and poetry.
As a prominent figure in the Pop Art movement, Katz's work rose to prominence between the reigns of Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. He began exhibiting his work in New York in 1951, starting a seven-decade-long practice that would span paintings, drawings, prints, and freestanding sculptural ‘cutouts’.
"Thursday Night" is a significant piece in Katz's oeuvre, showcasing his ability to capture the essence of everyday life through his unique artistic vision. The painting is a testament to Katz's contribution to the Pop Art movement and his enduring influence on contemporary art. For those interested in exploring more of Alex Katz's works, visit Alex Katz: Thursday night on AllPaintingsStore.com. Additionally, you can find more information about the artist and his style on Wikipedia at Alex Katz - 77 œuvres d'art - peinture - WikiArt.org.
Some of Katz's other notable works include:
Alex Katz: Homage to Degas
Alex Katz: Double White Band (Vivien)
Alex Katz: Yellow Barn
Alex Katz: Forest
Alex Katz: Untitled (Dog On The Beach)
These works can be found on AllPaintingsStore.com, where you can also explore other artists and styles.
Artist and museum
Born in Brooklyn, United States of America
Born: July 24, 1927, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Family moved to St. Albans, Queens at a young age.
Developed an interest in art early on.
Studied at the Cooper Union (1946-1949), learning Modern art theories and techniques under Morris Kantor.
Attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine, honing painting skills and emphasizing painting from life. This experience proved pivotal to his artistic development.
Style: Characterized by simplicity, bold colors, and cool emotional detachment. Often divided into portraiture and landscape genres.
Influences: Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese artist known for woodcuts). Comparisons have been drawn to Andy Warhol and Keith Haring.
Techniques: Experimentation with "cutouts" – painting on cut panels of wood or aluminum. Direct painting onto shaped aluminum sheets became a signature technique.
Monochrome Backgrounds: A defining characteristic, separating him from gestural figure painters and anticipating Pop Art.
Photographic & Cinematic Strategies: Incorporation of cropping, decoupage, and repetition to create rhythm within paintings.
Early Works: Small collages of figures in landscapes (late 1950s).
Portraiture Focus: Paintings of friends and his wife, Ada, became central themes.
Significant Pieces: "Alex Katz: Thursday Night," "Alex Katz: Ada in Black Sweater."
Large-Scale Paintings (1960s): Dramatic cropping of faces influenced by film and advertising.
Landscape Series (late 1980s & 1990s): “Environmental” landscapes with loosened edges and painterly brushstrokes.
Night Pictures: Exploration of new light sources, departing from sunlit landscapes.
Floral Paintings: Profusion of blossoms covering canvases (early 2000s).
Recent Works: Drastic cropping of individual portraits and sequencing images across linen. iPhone photography used as a starting point for compositions.
Pop Art Association: Often associated with the Pop Art movement, reflecting influences from popular culture.
Innovation in Technique: Pioneering use of "cutouts" and experimentation with printmaking techniques.
Collaborations: Designed sets and costumes for choreographer Paul Taylor.
Recognition & Awards: Numerous awards and recognition throughout his career. Work held in prominent collections (Centre Georges Pompidou, Tate Gallery, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao).
Longevity and Influence: A seven-decade career establishing him as a key figure in contemporary art, influencing generations of artists with his distinctive style and approach to portraiture and landscape painting.
topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/alex-katz-thursday-night-AE3M8T-en/
Look closely
Thursday night — Alex Katz
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
In terms of perceived brightness, "Thursday night" by Alex Katz is bright.
The color identity of "Thursday night" by Alex Katz: a neutrals palette, dominated by sea green (#40667c).
Alex Katz appears under the alternate names Alexander Benjamin Katz.