S. Maria Maggiore, Venice 19th-20th century

Editor: This watercolor is called "S. Maria Maggiore, Venice," by Denman Waldo Ross. It reminds me of a postcard, a little faded, evoking a sense of serenity. What do you see in it? Curator: It whispers of Venice, doesn't it? The ochre walls, that slender tower – it's as if Ross captured a fleeting moment, a memory bathed in sunlight. Do you feel the tranquility, almost a melancholic beauty? Editor: Yes, definitely melancholic. The bare tree in the foreground adds to that feeling. Curator: Exactly! It's not just a topographical study; it's a mood piece. I wonder what Venice meant to Ross, what stories he carried with him as he painted this. Editor: I hadn't considered the personal connection. Thanks, that's really interesting. Curator: Art's a conversation, always.