Rüstem Pasha Mosque, Istanbul 

Jean-Léon Gérôme painted ‘Rüstem Pasha Mosque, Istanbul’ to reflect his orientalist fascination with the Ottoman world. The painting offers us a window into 19th-century European perceptions of the East. The scene is meticulously rendered, emphasizing architectural details and the postures of prayer. Yet, what stories remain untold? Note the gaze of the men versus the woman with her hands raised. Here, the mosque is rendered as a space of gendered experiences. The rich display of Islamic art is somewhat overshadowed by the artist's interest in capturing the ‘exotic’ and ‘mystical’ elements of Ottoman culture. It invites us to consider how cultural representation can perpetuate stereotypes. This work prompts a critical dialogue about whose perspectives are privileged in art. While offering a glimpse into a specific time and place, it reveals as much about the West’s construction of the ‘Orient’ as it does about Ottoman society itself.