Bust of a Young Boy in a Red Fez 19th-20th century

Curator: Ross's "Bust of a Young Boy in a Red Fez," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, certainly makes a statement with its bold, expressive strokes. Editor: I’m struck by the quiet melancholy. The downward gaze coupled with that vibrant fez creates a beautiful tension, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. The composition is quite simple, really—a tightly cropped bust. What's fascinating is how Ross uses color to define form, eschewing strong outlines. The red is almost a shout against the muted background. Editor: It's like he's capturing a fleeting moment, a private thought. The texture of the paint itself seems to contribute to that sense of transience. It's rather lovely, isn't it? That almost hesitant quality. Curator: Indeed. There's an intimacy to it, despite the somewhat traditional subject matter. It stays with you, I think. Editor: Yes, it does. It really does.