The Gathering is based on Mr. and Mrs. R. Padgett, Mr. and Mrs. D. Gallup, a celebrated painting from Alex Katz’s iconic 1970s group portrait period and a featured work in the artist’s major retrospective at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in 2022. Capturing a moment of casual conversation among friends, the composition exemplifies Katz’s remarkable ability to distill social interaction into a series of elegant gestures, expressions, and relationships.

The edition has a particularly unique origin. The original painting resides in the collection of Commerce Bank in St. Louis,  ,where it has long been affectionately known as the “Hippie Painting.” Upon seeing the work in person, it became clear that its cinematic scale, timeless subject matter, and historical significance would translate exceptionally well into print. Notably, Alex Katz has never before produced a print based on one of his landmark 1970s group scenes, making The Gathering a rare opportunity to acquire an edition rooted in one of the most important periods of his career.