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Open 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Visit
Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission is always free

6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20565

Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights
Through September 5
Exhibitions & Events
America’s 250th

Celebrating American art and artists
Art & Artists
Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

Strange Bird

1953

Milton Avery

Associated Names

Milton Avery

Artist, American, 1885 - 1965

The image consists of a large bird-like shape with a rounded body and distinct beak, against a textured, abstract backdrop of dark and light contrasts. The form suggests the outline of a bird, with its head turned and tail up. The speckled texture within the bird shape adds an abstract quality. The composition juxtaposes the bold silhouette with scattered, irregular marks that enhance the abstract nature of the piece.

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Artwork overview

Medium

woodcut in black on wove paper
Credit Line

Gift of the Avery Family, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art
Dimensions

image: 17.3 x 32.2 cm (6 13/16 x 12 11/16 in.)
sheet: 22.9 x 44.1 cm (9 x 17 3/8 in.)
Accession Number

1991.233.45
Catalogue Raisonné

Lunn 1973, no. 45, i/ii

Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

1973

Lunn, Harry H., Jr. Milton Avery: Prints 1933-1955. Washington, D.C.: Graphics International Ltd., 1973, no. 45, i/ii.

Inscriptions

lower right in plate: MA; lower left in graphite: 14/20; lower right in graphite: Milton Avery 1953

Wikidata ID

Q75117259

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