Allen Parker with his Goldfish 1927

Editor: This drawing, "Allen Parker with his Goldfish" by Denman Waldo Ross, looks to be a quick sketch. I'm struck by the angularity of the lines, the almost geometric way the figure is built. What do you see in this piece, looking at its form? Curator: The immediacy of the sketch is indeed compelling. Observe how the artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to define form and shadow, particularly around the torso and legs. Consider the relationship between the subject and the negative space; how does this interplay affect the overall composition? Editor: It almost flattens the image, doesn't it? Curator: Precisely. It's the interplay between line, form, and space that constructs the visual experience, abstracting the figure. These structural elements, not narrative, are the artwork's essence. Editor: I see. Thanks for pointing out the formal qualities. Curator: Indeed, a worthwhile exercise to decode artwork, viewing structural and aesthetic elements.