Procession, Feast of the Archangel Raphael, Venice, Italy 1920

Curator: Here we have Denman Waldo Ross's watercolor, "Procession, Feast of the Archangel Raphael, Venice, Italy." Editor: My first thought is how fleeting and ephemeral it feels, almost like a memory fading at the edges. Curator: The procession itself is quite interesting; Archangel Raphael is often seen as a protector of travelers and a healer. The feast day would be a public spectacle, a potent symbol of communal faith. Editor: Absolutely, and look at the quick, almost gestural brushstrokes. You can almost feel the Venetian light reflecting off the buildings, that distinctive pink hue coming from the materials used in construction. Curator: The figures in the windows also strike me; they're spectators, but also participants in this shared cultural moment, almost like the Saints looking down from heaven. Editor: I see the connection, and I also note the physical act of creating this scene. How Ross uses the watercolor to capture a sense of place, of being present in Venice. It’s really something. Curator: A beautiful intersection of faith and everyday life, indeed. Editor: And a striking testament to the power of simple materials.