Buildings on the Side of a Hill, Fez, Morocco 19th-20th century

Editor: This watercolor painting is titled "Buildings on the Side of a Hill, Fez, Morocco," by Denman Waldo Ross. The earthy tones give it a very grounded, almost architectural feel. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: The subject matter is fascinating, don't you think? Consider the period when this was created. Depictions of foreign landscapes, like Fez, fed into a Western fascination with the "exotic" and "other." How do you think this image might have been received by audiences back home? Editor: I guess it offered a glimpse into a world that was both captivating and distant. I hadn’t considered the power dynamics at play in this image. Curator: Exactly. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple landscape paintings can reflect broader cultural and political contexts. Thanks, that was insightful.