Jeune Fille Du Caire 

Jean-Léon Gérôme painted "Jeune Fille Du Caire," or "Young Woman of Cairo," during a time when Europe was captivated by the idea of the "Orient." Gérôme, like many artists of his time, traveled to North Africa and the Middle East, and his paintings reflect a fascination with what was seen as an exotic and sensual culture. However, these works often perpetuated stereotypes and power imbalances. Here, we see a woman of color depicted through a European male gaze, her body on display. Note the contrast between her vibrant clothing and the dark, shadowy doorway behind her, which hints at the complexities of identity and representation. "Jeune Fille Du Caire" invites us to think about who has the power to represent whom, and how these representations can both reflect and shape societal attitudes. What does it mean to truly see and understand another person's experience?