Landscape, Malaga, Spain 19th-20th century

Curator: Here we have Denman Waldo Ross's "Landscape, Malaga, Spain," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought is that the watercolor washes create a sense of humid atmosphere, a palpable weight. Curator: Observe how Ross uses layering—almost a tapestry of brushstrokes—to build form and depth within the landscape. Editor: It's fascinating how the quick, fluid application of the paint mimics the fleeting nature of capturing a scene; the labor of landscape painting, often overlooked. Curator: Indeed, and that contrast between the solid architecture atop the hill and the more ambiguous foliage below creates a dynamic tension. Editor: An interesting perspective on the interplay between the built environment and the natural world and how they affect each other both in terms of resources and the social impact. Curator: I’ll continue to consider the formal aspects of this piece. Editor: While I think more about the implications of representing Malaga through this medium.