Poppies 19th-20th century

Curator: Looking at “Poppies,” held here at the Harvard Art Museums, I'm immediately struck by the intensity of color. Editor: Oh, me too! It's like a little bonfire of reds nestled among the greens, so simple and yet so captivating. Curator: Denman Waldo Ross really captured that, didn’t he? Poppies are so iconic; think of sleep, remembrance, even opium. They hold such a rich symbolic space. Editor: Absolutely, but here, there's a vibrant energy, almost a celebration of life. It feels less about melancholy and more about bold, unapologetic beauty. The painterly brushstrokes give it an almost impressionistic feel. Curator: Yes, the handling of the paint is so direct, and almost joyful. It’s a reminder to stop and appreciate the small bursts of joy around us. Editor: A perfect little pick-me-up in a painting!