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Anna Wintour, 2009

Alex Katz

British-born Dame Anna Wintour (b. 1949) has made a significant contribution to the international fashion industry as editor-in-chief of American Vogue since 1988. Previously editor of British Vogue from 1984 to 1987, Wintour is credited with boosting the circulation and reinvigorating both titles. In 2013, she became artistic director for Condé Nast, Vogue’s publisher.

The scale and optical domination of the influential American artist Alex Katz’s (b. 1927) portrait of Wintour complements her standing in the world of fashion. Based on studies from life, this was the first time Wintour had sat for a painted portrait. Katz has said: ‘Painting Anna was like shooting a fish in a barrel. There was no way I could miss it. She’s made to order. Highly styled.’

National Portrait Gallery, London. Purchased with help from the Art Fund, 2010
© Alex Katz/VAGA at ARS, NY, DACS, London and Copyright Agency, Australia 2022

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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