View of Tiflis 1868

Curator: Here we have Ivan Aivazovsky's "View of Tiflis," painted in 1868. It captures a panoramic vista of the city. Editor: It’s breathtaking. The sheer scale of the cityscape laid out beneath those mountains, the layering effect achieved through subtle variations of color in the paint, particularly the blues and whites, gives it depth. Curator: Aivazovsky was renowned for his seascapes, but he did occasionally paint landscapes. This work reflects Russia's expansion into the Caucasus and the social implications it caused at the time. Consider the history of how places were viewed and the effect Aivazovsky may have had on that view. Editor: The city sprawls, but I am drawn to the way the material realities shape it: how buildings cluster around the high ground, conforming to its peaks and valleys, using the mountain almost like raw material. One can almost sense the specific geology informing the urban design, not the other way around. Curator: Yes, and notice how Aivazovsky romanticizes Tiflis, which reinforces Russia's ambition and vision for a "civilized" territory under its domain. Editor: But let’s also remember that this “civilizing mission”, as you say, hinged upon very material, exploited labour! What materials would have been available for such massive infrastructure, who was constructing it and under what working conditions? That also forms a fundamental part of its history, maybe something Aivazovsky chooses to conveniently omit in his painting? Curator: That's fair. His viewpoint undeniably comes from a specific political position. The painting provides an aesthetic and perhaps a political reflection that influences Russia's image. Editor: So in our discussions, one may want to look into who this depiction truly caters to, and what socioeconomic contexts formed that consumer culture. I really want to delve further into the kind of physical demands required of the population for such grand urbanization, even despite its beauty. Curator: That will undoubtedly allow one to experience a greater understanding. Thanks. Editor: Indeed! Always more to discover.