Park, Paris, France 19th-20th century

Editor: This is Denman Waldo Ross's "Park, Paris, France," a watercolor painting. The translucent washes give it a dreamlike quality. What draws your eye when you look at it? Curator: I'm immediately struck by the materiality of the watercolor itself. Look at how Ross uses the fluidity of the medium to depict the light and atmosphere of the park. Consider how the labor of applying these washes contributes to its airy, ephemeral feel, almost challenging the traditional, more labored oil paintings. Editor: That's a great point. I hadn't thought about the deliberate choice of watercolor as a statement in itself. Curator: Exactly! It speaks volumes about the artist's intention and perhaps even a commentary on artistic hierarchies of the time. Editor: I see the painting in a different light now, thinking about the materials and production of the artwork itself.