Harem #2 2009

"Harem #2" (2009) by Moroccan-American artist Lalla Essaydi is a striking photographic work that uses traditional Moroccan architecture and decorative arts to explore themes of female identity and cultural representation in the Middle East. The image features a woman reclining on a divan, her body adorned with intricate henna patterns, against a background of ornate tilework that echoes the patterns on her skin. Essaydi's work often engages with the complex relationship between traditional Islamic culture and contemporary Western interpretations of the Middle East, highlighting the enduring power of visual imagery to shape perceptions and identities.