Orizaba, Mexico 19th-20th century

Editor: This is "Orizaba, Mexico" by Denman Waldo Ross, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a watercolor piece, and the layering of colors creates a hazy, dreamlike impression. What compositional elements strike you most? Curator: The structure is compelling. Ross employs a high vantage point, organizing the composition into distinct planes. Note how the architecture in the mid-ground anchors the composition with its geometric solidity, contrasting with the organic forms of the foliage. Editor: So, the interplay of geometric and organic shapes is key? Curator: Precisely. The facade in the foreground with its linear balustrade leads the eye toward the domed church. It's a visual dialogue that underscores the relationship between man-made structures and the natural landscape. Editor: I see it now! Thanks for pointing out those relationships. Curator: Indeed, analyzing these formal elements enhances our appreciation.