Landscape, Arequipa, Peru 19th-20th century

Curator: Looking at this piece, "Landscape, Arequipa, Peru" by Denman Waldo Ross, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums, I’m struck by its quiet, almost unfinished quality. Editor: Yes, there's a sense of immediacy to the raw materiality of the watercolor on paper—it feels like a quick study, a glimpse of daily life in Arequipa. You can almost feel the labor in each brushstroke. Curator: The composition, with its strong horizontal lines and muted colors, seems almost classical. The mountains in the background create a sense of depth and timelessness, even with the sketch-like execution. Editor: Right, and think about the social context. Who was this artist, and what was his relationship to this landscape and its inhabitants? The raw quality suggests a detachment, a perspective from a temporary visitor. Curator: Perhaps. Ultimately, it’s a captivating piece that invites contemplation on both its formal qualities and the world it represents. Editor: Indeed, and on the artist’s role in shaping our perception of that world through his chosen materials.