Antigua Guatemala 19th-20th century

Editor: This watercolor is titled *Antigua Guatemala* by Denman Waldo Ross, and it's held at the Harvard Art Museums. The muted palette and the loose brushstrokes give it such an airy, ethereal quality. What strikes you about the composition? Curator: Notice how the composition balances the solid geometry of the architecture against the fluid, organic forms of the foliage. The artist uses washes of color to suggest depth and atmosphere. Do you see how the structure is created with the juxtaposition of shapes? Editor: Yes, the contrast between the crisp lines of the buildings and the softer edges of the trees is really effective. I also appreciate how the texture of the rooftops is hinted at by the rough application of paint. Curator: Precisely. Ross masterfully employs the inherent properties of watercolor to evoke a sense of place through purely visual means. The use of the white space is also critical to the overall design. Editor: This has given me a new perspective on how formal elements can convey so much. Curator: Indeed, by focusing on form, we uncover how the artwork achieves its aesthetic impact.