A survey of this pioneering and serene colourist (1885-1965), who eschewed ‘-isms’ and quietly got on with his work – much of it plein air. Early impressionistic impastos quickly give way to gloriously translucent, simplified landscapes and figure paintings; his later colour fields brush with abstraction. Modest, reserved and yet joyful: his work is a revelation. Rothko, who was greatly influenced by him and knew him well, described Avery as “a great poet-inventor”.
