Metal Ornament Taken from the Mosque of Es Sakra 1886

James Tissot made this drawing of a metal ornament from the Mosque of Es Sakra. Consider the act of reproducing Islamic motifs within a Western artistic framework, pointing to the complex dynamics of Orientalism and artistic appropriation during the 19th century. The Mosque of Es Sakra, or Dome of the Rock, is a significant religious site in Jerusalem, and the act of removing and documenting its ornamentation speaks to the colonial attitudes prevalent at the time. Tissot's detailed rendering invites us to consider the politics of imagery and the social conditions that enable the transfer and reinterpretation of cultural artifacts. This drawing prompts us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in cross-cultural representation. By examining historical documents, travelogues, and studies of Islamic art and architecture, we can gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and the complex relationship between artistic representation, cultural exchange, and colonial power.