Flight 1953

Milton Avery created this color woodcut, titled "Flight", in 1953. Here, the grain of the wood is quite apparent, lending a tactile quality to the print, particularly in the solid areas of blue and black ink. You can see how Avery used the woodblock to create a slightly rough texture, contrasting with the smooth, flat areas of color. The image of the bird in flight has a graphic simplicity that reflects Avery's interest in the interplay of shapes and colors. The process of woodcut printing itself involves a certain amount of physical labor, from carving the block to manually pressing the print. In this instance, the handmade nature of the print stands in contrast to mass-produced images. The artist's hand is very much present in the final product. By understanding the materials and making processes of "Flight", we can appreciate how Avery blurred the lines between fine art and craft, highlighting the value of both artistic vision and skillful execution.