Flower 19th-20th century

Curator: This is "Flower" by Denman Waldo Ross, currently residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's so delicate, yet striking! The red poppy against that cool blue background just vibrates. Curator: Ross was deeply invested in color theory; he saw color as a language with its own grammar and syntax. This piece is evidence of his principles. Editor: Absolutely. Poppies themselves are laden with symbolism: remembrance, sleep, even death. Here, though, it feels more like a celebration of pure visual sensation. Curator: Color definitely takes precedence. The form is almost secondary. The poppy's cultural connotations are softened. Editor: It makes you think about the power of simple forms to evoke complex emotions. Curator: Indeed, seeing art like this makes us recognize how our perceptions are shaped by cultural and historical forces. Editor: And how deeply personal those perceptions can be!