Harem #15 2009

Lalla Essaydi's 2009 photograph "Harem #15" is a striking example of her series that uses traditional Moroccan architecture and clothing as a backdrop for exploring female identity and challenging Western stereotypes. The image depicts three women in a richly patterned room, their bodies and clothing echoing the intricate tilework and ornate arches that surround them. Through this visual juxtaposition, Essaydi invites viewers to consider the complex history and cultural significance of the harem, a space traditionally associated with both confinement and empowerment.