Rooster 1953

Milton Avery's "Rooster" is a linocut print, where an image is carved into a sheet of linoleum, then inked and pressed onto paper. It’s a medium that lends itself to bold, graphic forms, as we see here. The stark contrast of black ink on paper emphasizes the rooster’s patterned body and the texture of the carved lines. Avery’s process here is key: the very act of carving into the linoleum lends a raw, almost folksy quality to the image. Linocut is a relatively accessible technique, often associated with craft and design rather than high art, which makes it an interesting choice for an artist like Avery, who blurred those boundaries. There’s a real directness here. The labor involved in carving each line and the simple materials of lino, ink, and paper speak to a democratic impulse, making art accessible. Avery’s Rooster isn’t just an image; it’s a testament to the beauty and value found in everyday materials and processes.