Basilica di Sant'Andrea, Maderno, Italy 19th-20th century

Editor: This watercolor depicts the Basilica di Sant'Andrea in Maderno, Italy, by Denman Waldo Ross. The soft washes give it an ethereal, dreamlike quality. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Notice how the basilica, a symbol of religious and social power, is softened, almost fading into the landscape. Is Ross subtly questioning these traditional hierarchies? Perhaps he's inviting us to consider the individual's place within these imposing structures. Editor: That's a fascinating perspective. I hadn't considered the Basilica as a symbol of power in that way. Curator: Think about the basilica’s role historically: shaping community, dictating norms. Ross’s rendering, by dematerializing it, perhaps opens up space for alternative interpretations. Editor: So, by softening the image, he's challenging us to rethink the power structures it represents? Curator: Precisely. It makes me wonder about the role of art in questioning established norms. Editor: I'll definitely look at art with a more critical eye now. Thank you.