Stern of Steamer, At Sea 1895

Editor: This is "Stern of Steamer, At Sea" by Denman Waldo Ross, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a watercolor and I’m struck by how immediate it feels. What do you see in it? Curator: The application of watercolor here is intriguing. Notice the visible brushstrokes and layering, revealing the artist's process. How does this immediacy relate to the broader context of travel and leisure in the artist's time? Editor: Well, travel was becoming more accessible. Maybe the quick, almost sketch-like quality reflects a changing relationship to time and experience? Curator: Precisely. Consider also the socio-economic implications of steamer travel. Who had access to this mode of transportation, and how does the artwork reflect or challenge those dynamics? Editor: That makes me think about the labor involved in building and operating these ships, which isn't immediately visible here. Curator: Exactly. By acknowledging the means of production, we can broaden our understanding of the image. Editor: I’ll definitely be thinking about the materials and labor next time I see a seascape.