Arab Watching Over the Body of a Friend 1866

Mariano Fortuny Marsal made this etching, "Arab Watching Over the Body of a Friend," in 1866. This image invites us to consider the dynamics of Orientalism, which saw European artists depicting the "exotic" cultures of the Middle East and North Africa. Fortuny, a Spaniard, traveled to Morocco and like many artists of his time, found inspiration in what he perceived as the region’s timelessness and mystery. The etching depicts a scene of mourning, but also engages with broader themes of cultural difference and the representation of the "Other." By examining travelogues, colonial records, and ethnographic studies from the period, we can unpack the complex and often contradictory ways in which European artists like Fortuny contributed to shaping perceptions of the Arab world. This artwork serves as a reminder that the meaning of art is never fixed.