Turkish, The Light of the Harem, from Types of Nationalities (N240) issued by Kinney Bros. 1890

Curator: This small, brightly colored print, dating from 1890, is entitled "The Light of the Harem" and comes from a series of "Types of Nationalities" issued by the Kinney Bros. Tobacco Company. It depicts a woman, presumably Turkish, in what is meant to be suggestive attire. Editor: The immediate impression is undeniably romanticized—exotic, even. The soft, pastel colors and the woman’s slightly coy expression project an almost dreamlike vision of the Orient. But the title casts a certain pall. It makes the woman a commodity of a certain kind, evoking themes of sexualization and control. Curator: That tension between idealization and objectification is inherent in the genre of Orientalism, certainly. Prints like this one served a dual purpose, promoting both the exotic allure of faraway lands and, by implication, the supposed superiority of Western culture. Editor: The symbolism is insidious. Consider the term “light.” It’s a loaded signifier often employed in discourses of enlightenment versus darkness, civilization versus barbarity, subtly reinforcing colonial power structures. Also, let's not forget that tobacco was a key commodity tied to imperial trade routes. Curator: While the symbolic weight cannot be dismissed, the artist employs specific visual codes of the time to convey ideas of beauty and luxury. Note the headdress, the elaborate jewelry, and the soft handling of light on the woman's skin; these contribute to her symbolic significance. This speaks of power. I find this visually similar to the halo surrounding images of holy women that create visual interest. Editor: Visually yes, but halo imagery endows a spiritual importance onto the female figure while this endows the woman with erotic power. Do you agree that the intention is very different? Curator: Fair enough. Considering its cultural context, I find it’s quite easy to forget that we are discussing an advertisement and, as such, a fabrication carefully crafted to evoke desire. This commercial context greatly impacted how symbolism played its part, and therefore how these are being translated throughout time. Editor: Precisely, and unpacking these layers of history and representation is vital to understanding its impact, however seemingly innocuous. The image, despite its diminutive scale, speaks volumes about the intertwined histories of colonialism, gender, and commerce. I find its symbolism troubling when placed into our cultural history. Curator: True. The piece serves as a strong reminder that we still have the tendency to create meaning onto groups of people from a Eurocentric point of view. Thank you. Editor: I completely agree. It's crucial to remember this perspective when contextualizing and interacting with visual art of all kinds.