The Blue Rose c. 20th century

Editor: This is Donald Saff's "The Blue Rose," currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It has this interesting combination of delicacy and boldness. I wonder, what does this piece tell you? Curator: The blue rose, historically, is an emblem of unattainable dreams. Saff places it above what looks like a stark, open vessel. What narratives of longing and containment might this juxtaposition suggest within the context of social and political restrictions? Editor: That's such an interesting perspective. It makes me think about the power dynamics inherent in seeking something considered impossible. Curator: Exactly! And how those societal expectations shape our desires and limitations. This tension makes it an enduring piece. Editor: I never would have thought about it that way, but now I can really see how it speaks to those struggles.