The artwork titled “Vermont Hills” was created by the artist Milton Avery in 1936. It is an oil on canvas painting that measures 32 by 48 inches. The piece belongs to the Post-Impressionism movement and is categorized within the landscape genre. Currently, it is housed at the Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Describing the artwork, one observes a series of undulating hills that dominate the canvas, with the composition pulling the viewer’s gaze across the contours of the land. The palette consists of subdued greens, blues, and earth tones that confer a serene yet dynamic atmosphere. The hills are rendered with broad, sweeping strokes, suggesting the movement and texture of the natural landscape. The foreground features darker, more defined lines, indicating dense vegetation, which contrasts with the softer, more simplified forms of the distant hills. It is apparent that Avery utilized a simplified form and harmonious colors to evoke the essence and mood of the Vermont landscape, rather than to portray it with photographic accuracy. The work is evocative of the serene beauty of nature and can be seen as capturing the timeless and gentle rhythm of the rural American Northeast.
