Street in An Arab City 1870

Cesare Biseo painted this view of a Street in an Arab City at some point in the late nineteenth century. The painting evokes a sense of place but it also highlights some key historical dynamics. Biseo was Italian, and like many European artists of his era, he turned to North Africa and the Middle East for inspiration, often drawn by a sense of the exotic. The composition emphasizes the architecture of the city, particularly the minaret. Figures are present, but they are small and almost anonymous, giving the impression of a timeless scene. However, this Orientalist view was produced at a time of increasing European influence in these regions. The question for us now is how to look at such a painting through a more critical lens. We can consult historical and postcolonial studies to develop a richer understanding of the cultural politics of this image.