Puebla, Mexico 19th-20th century

Curator: Here we have Denman Waldo Ross's watercolor, "Puebla, Mexico." It captures a scene, bathed in the soft light of what feels like late afternoon. Editor: My first impression is that the piece really emphasizes the arid landscape—the muted colors and that figure walking into the sun are evocative. Curator: Ross seemed taken by the way light interacts with the buildings and open spaces. Look at the washes of color— almost capturing a mirage. Editor: Exactly. And thinking about it, the use of watercolor allows for that translucent quality, mirroring the ephemeral nature of light itself, but also making visible the traces of the artist's hand. Curator: It’s a lovely, quiet moment captured with such sensitivity. Editor: It speaks to the beauty found in the everyday, through the materials of its making.