Milton Avery’s “Nude Combing Hair” is a work from 1954 that melds the influences of Expressionism and Fauvism into its stylistic composition. Classified under the genre of nude painting (nu), the artwork is indicative of Avery’s penchant for simplified forms and a rich color palette, characteristics often associated with the aforementioned art movements.
The artwork depicts a nude figure seated on a vibrant red bench, set against a warm, monochromatic backdrop. The subject is captured in the act of combing her hair, with one arm raised above her head to attend to this personal ritual. The bold, flat areas of color and the stylized treatment of the figure contribute to an abstracted representation that conveys mood and atmosphere rather than detailed realism.
Avery’s use of color in this work is notable; the predominance of reds creates a striking contrast with the pale, almost white flesh tones of the figure. This selection of hues might be suggestive of the emotional intensity and expressive potential that the artist seeks to convey through this deceptively simple composition. Despite its evident reduction of detail, the artwork exudes a certain intimacy, focusing the viewer’s attention on the solitary act of the figure and the contemplative nature of the scene.
