Waterfalls, Intervale, New Hampshire 19th-20th century

Curator: This watercolor, titled "Waterfalls, Intervale, New Hampshire" is by Denman Waldo Ross. Note how the landscape is compressed into a relatively small space—roughly 25 by 35 centimeters. Editor: My first impression is that this artwork captures a very specific kind of light, almost fleeting. It's broken apart, reflected, and somehow feels very ephemeral. Curator: Yes, the artist uses the waterfall as a symbol of constant change and transformation, a reminder of the transient nature of time and our own existence. Water motifs appear across cultures embodying cleansing and renewal. Editor: The way the artist lays down the paint in quick, almost chaotic strokes—that fragmentation definitely adds to the sense of movement and, as you say, transformation. It’s like seeing the waterfall itself decompose before our eyes. Curator: Precisely. Ross invites us to consider the waterfall not just as a natural phenomenon, but as a mirror reflecting our own internal processes of change and adaptation. Editor: The interplay between the browns of the rocks and greens of the foliage adds a sense of depth to the composition, further highlighting the waterfall as a powerful focal point. Curator: I hadn't considered that relationship before; thank you. Editor: And thank you for placing this vibrant scene into a wider frame of understanding.