Figure Studies 1943

Milton Avery made these "Figure Studies" with a pencil on paper; it's a whole page of them bound in a sketchbook. This feels like a collection of fleeting impressions, a bunch of different poses captured with the minimum of fuss. I really love how Avery gets the most out of a few simple lines. He is all about the essence. The textures are all in your head, created by the starkness of the pencil against the blank page. Look at the seated figure in the top left. It's like he's saying, "Here's what matters: the tilt of the head, the curve of the back." It's all so economical, but somehow so full. Avery reminds me of Henri Matisse, particularly Matisse’s line drawings. They share a similar dedication to distilling form down to its most essential elements, finding a sense of freedom, joy, and pure expression in the act of drawing. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t always need to shout to be heard; sometimes, the quietest voices resonate the loudest.