Vermont Landscape 1943

Milton Avery made this pen and ink drawing, titled "Vermont Landscape," on a page torn from a sketchbook. Avery’s landscapes were often far from literal transcriptions of a scene; instead, they offer simplified forms in which less is more. This sketch gives us insight into his working methods, and the ways he transforms observational drawing into something more abstract. Looking at this landscape, it’s worth considering the history of landscape art in the United States. In the 19th century, landscape painting was linked to a sense of national identity and expansion. By Avery’s time, in the mid-20th century, artists were questioning the cultural and political implications of landscape, especially in light of industrialization. Studying Avery's sketchbooks in archives and libraries helps us understand how artists engage with these broader cultural concerns through their art. Ultimately, the meaning we find in "Vermont Landscape" is shaped by its historical context and Avery's individual artistic vision.