Skip to Content
Closed today, next open Thursday. Closed today, next open Thursday.

Conversation in Studio

A work made of oil on canvas.
© 2018 Milton Avery Trust / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Image actions

  • A work made of oil on canvas.

Date:

1943

Artist:

Milton Avery (American, 1885–1965)

About this artwork

Milton Avery was an American artist known for his study and usage of color, often referred to as a precursor to Color Field painters. His work frequently bridged the gap between realist and abstract art. The four figures in Conversation in the Studio have not been identified; however, meetings like these were a common occurrence in both Avery’s New York apartment and art studio. American artists such as Mark Rothko and Adolph Gottlieb among others would often stop by to see and discuss Avery’s work, while Avery in turn would sketch the gatherings and conversations taking place around him. The artist himself addressed this tendency, asking “why talk when you can paint?” The flat color fields and textured application of thin paint layers give shape and structure to the elegantly dressed figures and their surroundings. By the 1940s, Avery was increasingly using a nonnaturalistic palette to create mood in his paintings, as the bright-blue and green faces of the men demonstrate.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of the Americas

Artist

Milton Avery

Title

Conversation in Studio

Place

United States (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1943

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

Approx.: 106.7 × 91.4 cm (42 1/16 × 36 in.)

Credit Line

Bequest of Roy R. Neuberger

Reference Number

2011.107

Copyright

© 2018 Milton Avery Trust / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

Share

Sign up for our enewsletter to receive updates.

Learn more

Image actions

Share