Tenth Plague of Egypt c. 19th century

Editor: This is William Say’s "Tenth Plague of Egypt." Its sepia tones really contribute to the somber mood. What do you make of the architectural backdrop and the figures in the foreground? Curator: I see a civilization teetering. The detailed, almost rigid architecture clashes with the raw emotion of the figures. It's a study of power versus personal grief. Does the lightning add anything for you? Editor: Definitely. It feels like a crack in the order of things. Curator: Precisely. A crack that lets the divine… or the devastating… in. It makes me wonder, where do we find ourselves in that flash? Editor: This makes me rethink the relationship between personal stories and grand narratives. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure!