Two Sketches of a Tower 19th-20th century

Curator: Denman Waldo Ross's "Two Sketches of a Tower," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums, presents us with a glimpse of architectural form in watercolor. Editor: The initial impression is light, airy, and dreamlike, almost ephemeral, thanks to the soft washes and delicate lines. Curator: The loose handling of watercolor—the thin washes, the visible pencil underdrawing—speaks to a process-oriented approach. This wasn’t about creating a polished product, but rather about exploring the act of seeing and recording. The support itself becomes integral to the final expression. Editor: And the tower itself, repeated, becomes a symbol of stability and aspiration amidst the fluidity. Towers often represent a connection between the earthly and the divine, a reaching towards something higher. Curator: Perhaps Ross was interested in the tower as a marker of civic identity, its construction and maintenance reflecting the values and resources of the city itself. Editor: I see a reflection of Venice's own history and its enduring symbolic power within these sketches. Curator: A quick, fluid study, concerned with recording color and light, and one that speaks volumes about artistic labor. Editor: Yes, a fleeting moment captured, imbued with enduring meaning.