Florence 19th-20th century

Curator: Denman Waldo Ross captured this view of Florence in watercolor, though the date of its execution remains unknown. The artwork measures about 9 by 11 inches. Editor: My first impression is one of understated grandeur, a certain quiet monumentality achieved through simple washes. Curator: Note how Ross uses the dome as a focal point. Domes often symbolize aspiration and transcendence, linking the earthly with the divine. The reflection in the water adds another dimension to this idea. Editor: Yes, and the composition leads the eye upward, drawn in by the repetition of curved forms—the arches, the dome, even the gentle slope of the hills. There is a rhythm established through these shapes. Curator: Florence, as a place, already carried a heavy symbolic load for artists of Ross’s era, representing the rebirth of civilization and artistic achievement. Editor: It’s interesting how Ross abstracts the architectural details; it is as if he wanted to distill the essence of Florence, rather than reproduce a perfect likeness. Curator: Indeed, in this piece, Ross reveals how a place can become a repository of collective dreams and memories. Editor: And through his subtle mastery of form, Ross gives us access to that dream.