Provence Landscape 1963

Editor: This is Suzanne Hodes' watercolor "Provence Landscape," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The vibrant greens and yellows give it a cheerful, almost playful feel. What symbols or motifs do you notice in this piece? Curator: Notice how the sketch-like quality, the layering of greens, creates a sense of depth, evoking the feeling of being immersed within the grove. The repeated tree symbol, present across many cultures, represents growth, connection to nature, and endurance. Editor: So the trees are more than just trees? Curator: Precisely. They become visual metaphors for the enduring spirit of Provence, a region steeped in history and artistic tradition. Editor: It's fascinating how a landscape can hold such symbolic weight. I'll certainly view landscapes differently now.