Robert Scurley (?) 19th-20th century

Curator: Denman Waldo Ross gives us, in watercolor, a certain Robert Scurley in thoughtful repose. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is how the washes build mood – all the darkness sort of concentrates into a pensive character. Curator: Indeed, and the downward gaze is suggestive. The somber tones evoke a sense of introspection, perhaps even melancholy. The sitter is presented almost as a Byronic hero. Editor: Watercolor, such a fluid medium, mirroring the sitter's inner state. Was Ross known for his use of watercolor? It feels quite direct, almost sketch-like, not overworked. Curator: Ross, yes, but also the Arts and Crafts movement. This portrait, by its very nature, elevates the common subject, suggesting inherent worth and dignity within the individual. Editor: It’s interesting to consider how the artist's choice of a seemingly humble material like watercolor serves to emphasize the sitter's humanity. Curator: A perfect synthesis, and a sensitive portrayal. Editor: A sensitive portrayal, yes, born of particular material choices.