The Consequences of War 1892

Editor: Here we have Denman Waldo Ross's, *The Consequences of War*. It's undated, but its chaotic composition really evokes feelings of violence and despair. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The bodies, contorted in anguish, speak volumes about the brutal reality of war, don't they? Ross seems to be asking: who bears the brunt of conflict? Consider the figures huddled together, are they a depiction of gendered violence and the disproportionate suffering of women and children? Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way. It seems like the artist is using this scene to make a larger statement about power. Curator: Exactly. Ross is inviting us to reflect on how war perpetuates cycles of trauma and social injustice. It is a profound statement. Editor: I agree. Seeing it through that lens really changes how I understand the artwork. Curator: It’s a potent reminder that art can be a catalyst for critical dialogue.