The Queen Of Sheba 1838

Charles Gleyre painted ‘The Queen of Sheba’ in 19th century France and it reflects the orientalist fascination of the time. Gleyre creates meaning through contrasting light and shadow, drawing the eye to the Queen. The imposing architecture and exotic setting, reflect the orientalist themes popular in European art, literature and music. These themes romanticized the ‘mysterious east’ while reinforcing European cultural dominance. The institutional context of art production also played a role. The French academy, with its emphasis on historical and mythological subjects, influenced the choice of subject matter and style. By studying the writings of the period, we can learn more about how people viewed cultures outside Europe. Understanding institutional histories of institutions like the French academy can help us contextualize this painting and its role in perpetuating certain cultural narratives.