Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a Hat 19th-20th century

Curator: Before us, we have Denman Waldo Ross's "Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a Hat," currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the texture. You can practically feel the impasto of the paint and get a sense of the artist's process. Curator: Absolutely. Ross was deeply involved in the Arts and Crafts movement, and this portrait showcases that interest. We see an emphasis on directness, a kind of material honesty. Editor: You see that reflected in the sitter's clothing too. It isn't ostentatious, more like a smock perhaps. I am curious to know if it was a costume or did the sitter pick the outfit themselves? Curator: That is a good point. Ross was fascinated by non-Western art and design. Perhaps the costume is another clue of Ross's eclectic tastes. Editor: All the colors and fabrics must have been really something when first painted. It's easy to miss how vibrant these colors must have been when fresh. Curator: Indeed. The portrait reflects the kind of artistic dialogues circulating at the turn of the century. Editor: Considering the materials and their cultural context adds a whole new dimension to how we understand the artwork. Curator: Exactly, this lens allows us to re-evaluate our own assumptions.