Jimmy Vincent 19th-20th century

Curator: Today we are looking at Denman Waldo Ross's "Jimmy Vincent," housed right here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a somber feel to it. I can't quite put my finger on why, but there is a sadness that I am sensing. Curator: I think part of that feeling is the somber, dark hues used in the sitter's attire and the backdrop, but then you see the luminous, almost glowing, skin tones of Jimmy. Editor: Yes! It's like Jimmy is the light, pushing against all that darkness. I wonder who he was, what his story was, for Ross to capture him in paint like this? Curator: I think Ross was interested in the labor of portraiture itself, and through this exploration with paint and canvas, he captured a person and created a lasting artifact. Editor: It makes you think about the raw materiality of art, and how it can be infused with the energy of a single soul. Curator: A powerful testament to both the artist and the sitter. Editor: Indeed. A brief moment, captured forever.