Count Gregorii Orlov Visiting Plague Victims in Moscow c. 18th century

Curator: Novelli’s watercolor, “Count Gregorii Orlov Visiting Plague Victims in Moscow,” really encapsulates the social and political dimensions of health crises. The composition starkly contrasts Orlov’s detachment with the suffering. Editor: The image is dominated by a palette of cool blues and grays, which, combined with the crumbling architecture, evokes a sense of decay and despair. Curator: The scene is so telling, showing the power dynamics as Orlov, sent by Catherine the Great, oversees a city ravaged by plague, his presence a mix of authority and perhaps, indifference. Editor: And look at the symbolic weight of the plague victims reaching towards him—a potent visual of desperation and reliance on authority, even in the face of death. Curator: Absolutely, and the artwork serves as a document of the social inequalities exacerbated during epidemics, still relevant in our times. Editor: It's a stark reminder of how suffering and power are visually intertwined throughout history.