JOHN KACERE

John Kacere (b. 1920, Iowa – d. 1999, New York) was renowned for his role in the Photorealist movement. He earned his B.F.A. and his M.F.A. from the University of Iowa in the late 40s. Initially influenced by Abstract Expressionism, he shifted towards photorealism in the early 1960s. Kacere is best known for his hyperrealistic depictions of the female body, particularly focusing on close-up views of the midsection, often featuring lingerie and fabric. His work was marked by its extraordinary precision, transforming the ordinary details of skin, texture, and light into evocative visual narratives.

In 1969, Kacere painted his first large-scale photorealist work—a portrait of a woman's midsection in lingerie, over three times life-size—which became a hallmark of his style. His paintings, though sensual, also explored the intersection of still life and the human form, drawing attention to the interplay of fabric, texture, and light. Over the decades, Kacere expanded his focus to include full-body depictions of women in the 1980s, but returned to his signature midsection focus in 1988. Despite the erotic overtones of his work, Kacere's paintings were more than mere representations of the body—they engaged with themes of intimacy, beauty, and the nuances of human perception.

John Kacere passed away in 1999 from Alzheimer's disease.

His paintings are in the public collections of several institutions, including the Stedelijik Museum in Amsterdam, the Portland Museum of Art, and the J.B. Speed Museum in Louisville, Kentucky.