Milton Avery (American, 1885–1965), Red Rock Falls, 1947. Oil on canvas, 33 7/8 × 43 7/8 in. (86.04 × 111.44 cm). Milwaukee Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Harry Lynde Bradley. M1977.70. Photo: Cleber Bonato. © 2024 The Milton Avery Trust / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Milton Avery depicted the visible world in terms of its essences. Avery reduced this Montana vista to a few broad planes of glowing color that, pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle, suggest the most rudimentary of landscape forms. To emphasize two-dimensionality and reduce the illusion of recession, Avery created textures by scratching patterns into selected areas. Soft edges and the dark green under-painting unite the distinct and resonant colors to create overall harmony.
Permanent collection label, 2004. Written by Margaret Andera, Curator.
