"Alex Katz is one of the most influential American painters of the twentieth century. Though he perversely pursued figurative work in the era of Abstract Expressionism, the influence of his stylized portraits of New York's artworld demimonde, as well as his unmistakable Maine landscapes, can now be seen in the work of countless younger artists. This concise and affordable publication, which showcases Katz's work from the Banca della Svizzera Italiana (BSI) collection, contains images from throughout his career. What makes this volume notable is not only the opportunity to consider these rarely seen pieces and commissions, but also the technical and anecdotal commentary that Katz has provided for each work."--BOOK JACKET.