Flowers 19th-20th century

Editor: This watercolor, simply titled "Flowers," is by Denman Waldo Ross and resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. The brushstrokes seem so delicate. How would you interpret the artist's compositional choices? Curator: Ross's artistic strength lies in his manipulation of color and form. Note the stark contrast between the dark, textured background and the vibrant, almost ethereal quality of the flowers themselves. This juxtaposition creates a visual tension, drawing the eye to the floral clusters. Editor: It’s interesting how the dark background makes the flowers pop. Curator: Indeed. And consider the materiality. The fluidity of watercolor lends itself well to capturing the ephemeral nature of the blooms, don't you agree? Editor: I never really considered that, but now it makes perfect sense! Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. Art reveals itself through careful observation.