Plowing, Mexico 19th-20th century

Curator: This watercolor, "Plowing, Mexico," by Denman Waldo Ross, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums, captures a rural scene with great simplicity. It measures approximately 20 by 15 centimeters. Editor: It feels raw, doesn't it? Like a fleeting memory. The earth tones are almost visceral; you can practically taste the dust. Curator: Ross was deeply engaged with the aesthetics of his time, concerned with how art could shape societal values. This piece offers a window into the romanticized views of labor and landscape popular then. Editor: Romanticized, sure, but there’s also a solitude here, the vastness of the land dwarfing the figures working it. It makes me think about connection – to the earth, to tradition. Curator: Indeed. The composition draws attention to the labor inherent in agriculture, a theme often overlooked in more polished depictions of the countryside. Editor: And maybe a reminder of how universal that connection is, no matter the place or the era. It lingers with me, this small painting. Curator: It's interesting how a seemingly simple image can spark so many layers of reflection. Editor: Exactly. That's its strength, I think.