Live Auction 17661American Art
Milton Avery (1885-1965)
Lot 2 Property from a Washington, D.C. Collection

Milton Avery (1885-1965)

French Pigeons

Closed20 November 2019

Price Realised

USD 325,000

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Milton Avery (1885-1965)
French Pigeons
signed and dated 'Milton Avery 1952' (lower left)
oil on canvas
30 x 40 in. (76.2 x 101.6 cm.)
Painted in 1952.

William Zierler Inc., New York.
Graphics International Ltd., Washington, D.C.
Acquired by the late owner from the above, 1977.

Specialist note


In 1952, Milton Avery, his wife Sally and their daughter March traveled to Europe for the first time, spending three weeks in London, Paris and the French Riviera. On these trips the artist executed a number of sketches, which he would soon transform into oils. Inscribed 'St. Tropez' at left, Avery's sketch for the present work presents the pigeons standing on "old grey doors" against a "grey wall." In classic Avery fashion, the artist transforms his everyday observations into something vibrant and whimsical, using bold and effective blocks of color.