The Acropolis, Athens, Greece 19th-20th century

Curator: Here we have Denman Waldo Ross's "The Acropolis, Athens, Greece," a watercolor painting residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought is lightness. It's like a dream of a classical past, faded and shimmering. Curator: Faded in the best way! The Acropolis itself, perched up there, is a symbol of resilience. The figures strolling below feel like they're part of a pilgrimage, a slow procession through history. Editor: Yes, and the vibrant greens and pinks in the foreground…it almost feels like a garden leading to this ancient marvel. A kind of Arcadian vision of Greece. Curator: I love how Ross uses watercolor to capture the airy atmosphere. It's not just a depiction of a place; it's an evocation of feeling. Editor: It reminds me that even grand symbols of civilization exist within nature, within cycles of growth and decay. It is very nostalgic. Curator: Precisely! Ross seems to suggest that the past isn't some static thing, but something we constantly rediscover in the present. Editor: A lovely way to think about it; art makes the ancient feel current. Curator: Agreed, let’s explore more of Ross's work.