French Pigeons

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.