Curator: Here we see Denman Waldo Ross's "Portrait of a Young Man with a Green Tie," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The paint is laid on so thickly; you can really see the labor of the artist. There's something raw about it. Curator: Ross was deeply involved in art education, so this piece reflects the broader movement to democratize art instruction. Editor: Look at the brushwork, though. It's not academic refinement; it's about process and materiality. You can see the decisions being made, the layers building up. Curator: And the portrait's conventional attire emphasizes the rising middle class solidifying its own image through art. Editor: The green tie is the only striking visual element. The paint has a tactile presence. Curator: A small but fascinating glimpse into the social aspirations of the time, wouldn’t you say? Editor: Definitely a work that highlights the meeting of craft and class.