Landscape with Mountains 19th-20th century

Editor: This is "Landscape with Mountains" by Denman Waldo Ross, a delicate pencil drawing held here at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels… almost ghostly. What can you tell me about it? Curator: I see a depiction of nature, yes, but also a representation of power, specifically the romanticized view of nature as sublime and untamable which historically served to justify colonial expansion and resource extraction. How does the artist's subtle technique either challenge or reinforce these power dynamics? Editor: I never thought of landscape art that way before. It's not just pretty scenery, it's about who gets to control the land. Curator: Exactly. And thinking about Ross’s personal context might open up additional avenues for considering this work.