The artwork titled “Autumn” is an expressionist landscape oil on canvas created by artist Milton Avery in 1944. Measuring 27 by 35 inches (68.6 by 88.9 cm), “Autumn” is a part of the collection of Beverly and Raymond Sackler. This piece exemplifies Avery’s distinctive use of color and simplified forms, traits often associated with the Expressionist movement.
In the artwork, Avery employs a vibrant palette to convey the richness of the fall season. The foreground is dominated by a field of warm, golden hues, possibly representing fallen leaves or autumnal foliage. Broad strokes and splashes of color are used to create depth and texture in this area. A prominent white tree with bare branches reaches into the sky, serving as a stark contrast to the rest of the scenery. This tree, devoid of leaves, symbolizes the transition within the season. Behind it, a vertical coniferous tree provides a glimpse of green, hinting at the evergreen trees typical to many landscapes.
The middle ground of Avery’s landscape features a swath of purple, an unusual choice for depicting land but one that suggests creativity and emotional resonance, which are typical of Expressionist art. The background consists of rolling, brownish-red hills lined with additional bare trees, all set against a subtle creamy sky, which might suggest the chilly atmosphere of the approaching winter. Avery’s style in this landscape emphasizes the emotional experience of autumn over realistic representation, using form and color to elicit the viewer’s mood and interpretation.
