Harem #36 2013

"Harem #36" (2013) by Lalla Essaydi is a striking photograph that uses the conventions of traditional Orientalist portraiture to challenge Western perceptions of the Middle East. The image depicts three women in a lavish setting, echoing the traditional "harem" imagery of the 19th century. Essaydi's use of elaborate textiles and jewelry, combined with the subjects' direct gaze, invites the viewer to consider the complex realities of women's lives in Morocco. The work is part of Essaydi's ongoing series "Converging Territories," which explores the intersection of Eastern and Western cultures.