Milton Avery

This exhibition at the Royal Academy in London (15 July–16 October 2022) displays more than 70 works which span the American colourist’s prolific career. Best known for his distinct use of colour and landscape paintings, the show seeks to highlight some of the artist’s lesser-known works, including his portraiture, depictions of cityscapes and domestic scenes.  The show is arranged chronologically; its opening section, titled ‘Early Works’, focuses on the period between 1910–13 with early examples of the artist’s serene landscape paintings such as Blossoming (1918) and Fishing Village (1939). A section dedicated to portraits includes the artist’s paintings of members of his family, with highlights including The Dessert (1939) which depicts an intimate group of figures huddled around a dining table. The exhibition’s final sections reveal the prominent influence of European modernism in Avery’s later works, such as The Black Sea (1959) and Boathouse by the Sea (1959). Find out more on the Royal Academy’s website. 

Preview below | View Apollo’s Art Diary here

Blossoming (1918), Milton Avery. Photo: Adam Reich; © 2022 Milton Avery TrustT/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York and DACS, London 2022

Self-Portrait (1941), Milton Avery. Photo: Jim Frank; © 2022 Milton Avery Trust/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York and DACS, London 2022

Black Sea (1959), Milton Avery. © 2022 Milton Avery Trust/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York and DACS, London 2022

Boathouse by the Sea (1959), Milton Avery. Courtesy Victoria Miro, London, and Waqas Wajahat, New York; © 2022 Milton Avery Trust/ Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York and DACS, London 2022