Profile Portrait of a Young Boy 1897

Editor: This is Denman Waldo Ross's *Profile Portrait of a Young Boy*, from the Harvard Art Museums. I’m immediately drawn to the texture of the paint, and the way the artist uses primarily pink hues. What stands out to you in this composition? Curator: Notice the economy of line used to define the subject. The artist is less concerned with capturing a likeness than with exploring the formal possibilities of color and shape. Observe how the curve of the boy's neck echoes the curve of his jawline, creating a sense of visual harmony. Editor: That's a great point. I was focused on the colors, but the shapes are so integral to the composition. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: Indeed. The tension between the flat planes of color and the implied volume of the figure creates a visually stimulating experience. It demonstrates Ross's commitment to abstracting from nature.