Canal Scene 19th-20th century

Editor: This is Denman Waldo Ross’s watercolor painting, "Canal Scene," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. The light palette gives it a rather dreamy feel. What is your take on this image? Curator: Well, Ross was a key figure in shaping taste at Harvard and beyond. He advocated for specific aesthetic principles; how might those have influenced, or been influenced by, the art market and collecting practices of his time? Editor: That's interesting. It makes me wonder about who was able to collect art, and how their tastes shaped what got made. Curator: Exactly. And how institutions like Harvard played a role in validating certain styles and artists. Think about the social implications of that. Editor: I will. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: My pleasure. I’ve certainly learned something from your insights as well.