The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 24, 2025

1953–54

(American, b. 1927)

Unframed: 60.9 x 60.9 cm (24 x 24 in.)

Location: Not on view

The artist routinely wears gloves while painting to keep his hands clean.

Alex Katz's early paintings, including Four People, were based on amateur snapshots he collected from family and friends.

Tuite, Diana, Katy Siegel, Richard Shiff, and Eva Díaz. Brand-New & Terrific: Alex Katz in the 1950s. Munich, Germany: DelMonico Books, 2015. Reproduced: P. 88
Strean, Heidi. “Exhibitions 2017.” Cleveland Art: Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine 57, no. 1 (January/February 2017): 10-11. Reproduced: P. 10; Mentioned: P. 11 archive.org
Cole, Mark. “Brand-New & Terrific: The innovative early works of Alex Katz remain fresh and vital.” Cleveland Art: Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine 57, no. 3 (May/June 2017): Cover, 5-7. Reproduced: P. 6; Mentioned: P. 7 archive.org
Turner, Evan H. “The Year in Review for 1992.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 80, no. 2 (February 1993): 38–79. Mentioned: p. 66 www.jstor.org
Brand-New & Terrific: Alex Katz in the 1950s. Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville, ME (July 11-October 18, 2015); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (April 30-August 6, 2017).
Colby Collge Museum of Art, Waterville, ME (7/11/2015 - 10/18/2015): "Brand-New & Terrific: Alex Katz in the 1950s"
Signs of Affection: Gifts Honoring the Museum's 75th Anniversary. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 27, 1992-January 3, 1993).
{{cite web|title=Four People|url=false|author=Alex Katz|year=1953–54|access-date=24 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1991.310