Jackson Falls, New Hampshire 19th-20th century

Curator: This is Denman Waldo Ross's "Jackson Falls, New Hampshire," a painting teeming with the raw energy of nature. The vigorous brushstrokes immediately convey a sense of dynamic movement. Editor: Yes, I see that too. Ross really captures the force of the water, not just the water itself, but the way it interacts with the rocks and the surrounding foliage. The materiality of the paint almost becomes one with the landscape itself. Curator: Waterfalls, of course, have long held symbolic weight – representing the passage of time, the power of nature, and a sense of cleansing or renewal. Here, Ross seems to be tapping into that deep well of associations. Editor: I am also wondering about the palette Ross chose. These mauve and dark earthy tones combined with the bright white of the water suggest a particular season, or maybe even a commentary on the landscape as a resource undergoing change. Curator: It makes one consider the shifting symbolic landscape of the time, as well. What does this rapid, almost chaotic rendering say about our relationship with nature? Editor: It highlights how landscapes aren't just passive backdrops, but active sites of material exchange and social meaning. I’m fascinated by the ways the paint itself embodies these ideas. Curator: The painting really becomes a meditation on nature's enduring power to evoke both awe and perhaps a bit of apprehension, doesn't it? Editor: Precisely, a powerful convergence of material and meaning.