At Sea 19th-20th century

Curator: Here we have "At Sea" by Denman Waldo Ross, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is of movement, of a constant shifting captured with remarkable economy. It feels both abstract and deeply representational. Curator: Absolutely. The watercolor medium lends itself to that fluidity. Look at how Ross uses washes of blue and white to suggest the play of light on the water’s surface, almost like a tapestry woven with light. What's intriguing is how this small work can evoke such a vast expanse. Editor: Precisely. The scale belies its impact. I am fascinated by his control over such a volatile medium, how he makes the material itself speak of its subject. It invites reflection, doesn’t it? Curator: It does. Considering that Ross was a key figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, his focus on the intrinsic qualities of materials and processes makes perfect sense. One wonders what labor went into creating these gradations with watercolor... Editor: It is such a beautiful reminder of the power of observation and simple materials. Curator: Indeed. A testament to the enduring allure of the sea, captured with such delicate yet assertive strokes.