Market Scene, Biskra, Algeria 19th-20th century

Curator: This sketch, titled "Market Scene, Biskra, Algeria," is attributed to Denman Waldo Ross, and held at the Harvard Art Museums. The piece makes use of graphite on paper to capture a North African marketplace. Editor: The composition is quite striking—the stark contrast between the densely shaded archway and the open space on the right creates a compelling tension. The figures are minimal, yet they convey a sense of bustling activity. Curator: Indeed. Ross's use of hatching and cross-hatching techniques to define form is quite effective. I see a deliberate arrangement of light and shadow that adds depth. But what about the scene itself? Editor: Considering that Ross was active during a period of increased colonial interest in North Africa, this market scene prompts questions. Was Ross passively observing, or actively engaging with the cultural dynamics at play? The sketchiness almost feels like a detached gaze. Curator: Perhaps. But I see the artist experimenting with capturing the effects of light on architectural forms. It's possible that Ross was primarily interested in the formal qualities of the scene, rather than any deeper cultural commentary. Editor: That's a fair point. Curator: Well, regardless of intent, the sketch leaves us much to consider. Editor: Precisely, and maybe it is in those tensions that the drawing finds its power.