Waterfall 19th-20th century

Curator: This watercolor, titled "Waterfall", comes to us from the hand of Denman Waldo Ross. Editor: Ooh, my first thought is it feels melancholic. Like a memory fading into mist. Curator: Ross was deeply involved with the Arts and Crafts movement, promoting the idea of accessible beauty for everyone. Editor: You can see that. It's unpretentious, immediate, capturing a fleeting moment. I love how the water seems to dissolve into the rocks. Curator: He was also an influential figure at Harvard, advocating for design principles and color theory. His teachings shaped generations of artists. Editor: I'm no art historian, but I sense an artist who is trying to find the sublime in the commonplace. A quiet beauty. Curator: Yes, and his aesthetic theories were intertwined with progressive social ideals. He really believed in the power of art to elevate society. Editor: Well, I feel elevated. It's a simple, powerful work. It makes you want to jump in that cold mountain pool.