Alex Katz's Night Paintings series, developed primarily in the 1980s and 1990s, represents a significant departure from his more colorful daytime scenes, engaging deeply with themes of darkness, isolation, and the subtle interplay of light and shadow. These works stand in contrast to his earlier, more vibrant compositions, exploring almost monochrome landscapes that are punctuated only by fleeting moments of illumination. Katz's night paintings veer close to abstraction, reminiscent of Color Field paintings, yet they retain hints of realism through details like leaf patterns, rock formations, or the reflections of moonlight. This duality invites viewers into a contemplative space where the boundary between the real and the abstract becomes blurred​ (TheCollector)​.

In "Night" (1976), Katz captures a serene moment featuring his wife, Ada, highlighted against the enveloping darkness of their surroundings. This work underscores Katz's interest in the formal aspects of light, using the night as a backdrop to explore the visual and emotional impacts of isolated light sources on the figure. Katz's process involves a meticulous preparation that culminates in painting the final large canvas in a single session, allowing for a seamless integration of figure and background through a technique of wet into wet painting. This approach results in a compelling portrayal of night scenes that are both specific in their detail and universal in their atmospheric quality​ (PAFA)​.

Through his Night Paintings, Katz invites viewers to consider the night not just as a time of day but as a complex subject matter ripe with emotional depth, mystery, and subtle beauty. The series reflects Katz's ongoing exploration of light, form, and color, demonstrating his unique ability to distill contemporary life into its most compelling visual and emotional essences.