Portrait of a Young Boy with Red Hair 19th-20th century

Curator: Here we have Denman Waldo Ross's "Portrait of a Young Boy with Red Hair," part of the Harvard Art Museums collection and measuring about 14 by 10 inches. Editor: It's a somber painting, isn’t it? The subdued grays and blues create this heavy atmosphere around the boy. Curator: Ross’s brushwork is quite expressive, especially in the boy’s hair. Notice how the strokes of red and orange capture the light. Editor: And look at the bow! The bright white bow at his collar seems like a symbol of innocence almost overwhelmed by the boy's serious gaze. I wonder what his life was like, who he was... Curator: Certainly, the composition draws our eye to his face. The artist's attention to form and color invites us to engage with the subject’s essence. Editor: It makes you wonder about the conventions of portraiture at the time. Was it common to present children in such a subdued light? Curator: These are just some of the questions we might ask ourselves when we consider the interplay of form and subject within this painting. Editor: Indeed. It's a striking portrait that speaks volumes, even without knowing the boy's story.