Self-Portrait 1937

In 1937, Milton Avery made this self-portrait using etching, and what strikes me is how he's distilled his essence into these confident, economic lines. It’s like he’s saying, "This is me, no frills." Look at how the lines define his face, a web of hatching giving volume and shadow. The texture of the etching creates a slightly rough surface, adding a tangible quality to his features. The horizontal lines in the background seem to flatten the space, pushing his face forward. Notice the mark-making around his left eye, a cluster of lines that suggest depth. It is as if he's not just showing us his face, but the act of seeing itself. Avery reminds me of Marsden Hartley, another artist who wasn't afraid to simplify and get to the core of things. In both of their work, art isn't about perfection, it's about capturing a feeling, a moment, an idea.