Profile Head of Jimmy 1924

Curator: This is Denman Waldo Ross's "Profile Head of Jimmy." Editor: It feels very immediate, almost like a study. The visible brushstrokes and color notes around the edges feel revealing. Curator: Ross was deeply interested in color theory. Notice how he's capturing not just the likeness of Jimmy, but the interplay of light and flesh tones. The notes on the painting's border offer a peek into the artist's process. Editor: Exactly. The way he's broken down the colors into components—"flesh R-45," "hair O-45"—emphasizes the materiality of the paint and the labor involved in mixing each shade. Curator: Ross used the portrait as a vehicle for exploring harmony. The way the dark background sets off Jimmy's fair complexion reinforces a sense of idealized beauty. Editor: Yes, but this feels less about idealization and more about documenting a particular interaction with materials, light, and subject. For me, the "Jimmy" of the title recedes into the background of the artist's exploration of color. Curator: I find myself appreciating the vulnerability in capturing an ephemeral moment. Editor: And I am fascinated with the breakdown of labor and color on display.