Vermont Landscape 1943

Milton Avery created this sketch on paper without a date, likely en plein air, if that "Vermont Landscape" title means what I think it means. What's interesting here are the nervous scribbles, layer upon layer, almost vibrating with energy and a kind of searching. Avery is feeling out the landscape, not trying to capture it realistically, but to suggest something of its essence. I can imagine him, squinting at the scene, charcoal stick in hand, trying to find the right marks to convey the feeling of being there. There’s an undeniable link here with the landscapes of Marsden Hartley. Both artists were fascinated by the American landscape, especially its more rugged, untamed aspects. Hartley used paint in a similarly expressive way to convey the feeling of place. These drawings and paintings remind us that art isn't just about representation, but about the artist's unique way of seeing and feeling the world around them. It’s an ongoing dialogue, artists speaking to each other across time, each adding their voice to the chorus.