- Identification and Creation
-
- Object Number
- 2006.143
- People
-
Milton Avery, American (Altmar, NY 1885 - 1965 New York, NY)
- Title
- Three Fish
- Classification
- Prints
- Work Type
- Date
- 1950
- Culture
- American
- Persistent Link
- https://hvrd.art/o/315193
- Physical Descriptions
-
- Medium
- Monotype and gouache on paper
- Technique
- Monotype
- Dimensions
- Sheet: 61 × 91.4 cm (24 × 36 in.)
- Inscriptions and Marks
-
- Signed: lower right in graphite pencil: Milton Avery / 1950
- Acquisition and Rights
-
- Credit Line
- Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of Donald Ottenstein, Harvard College Class of 1942 in memory of Deborah Abelson
- Copyright
- © Milton Avery / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
- Accession Year
- 2006
- Object Number
- 2006.143
- Division
- Modern and Contemporary Art
- Contact
- am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu
- The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request.
- Descriptions
-
- Commentary
- Besides making paintings and drawings, Avery had always made prints-especially drypoints and woodcuts. After having a heart attack in 1950, the artist began making monotypes as a less strenuous alternative to painting. Between 1950 and 1956, he made well over 200 monotypes. His process was somewhat rudimentary. He applied oil washes to glass plates with brushes, rages, and even his fingers, and usually printed them with the back of a spoon. He also applied a base of turpentine on the glass to keep the paint from drying to quickly, causing the paint to puddle and pool in unpredictable ways. In this case, the murky pooling of the pigment serves as the perfect underwater environment in which to place the pastel-colored fish.
-
This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Modern and Contemporary Art at am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu