“Sea Grasses and Blue Sea” is a notable artwork by Milton Avery, created in the year 1958. The piece employs an oil on canvas medium and is categorized within the Expressionism movement. Measuring at 60 1/8 x 72 3/8 inches (152.7 x 183.8 cm), this work falls under the marina genre, illustrating Avery’s unique vision of a marine landscape. Presently, this artwork is housed within the distinguished collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, New York, United States.
The artwork vividly captures the essence of the sea with a striking simplicity and a bold use of color, typical of Avery’s style. The composition divides the canvas horizontally, with the majority of the space dedicated to the deep blue sea, marked by sporadic patches of black that could suggest the presence of sea grasses. The contrast between the varying shades of blue and the interruptions by the sea grasses creates an abstract interpretation of the ocean’s surface and its underlying vegetation. The lower portion of the canvas portrays what appears to be a beach, presented in lighter tones, providing a gentle gradient to the sea and sky above, although firm delineation between areas is absent, enhancing the image’s abstract nature. Avery’s work here is indicative of his ability to transform a natural scene into a meditative, almost graphic, representation, inviting viewers to experience a serene and distilled vision of the maritime world.
