Au Jardin 1881

Julius Leblanc Stewart painted this oil-on-canvas, "Au Jardin," during the late 19th century, a period when Orientalism was prevalent in Western art. The painting presents a young Egyptian woman, her posture and expression suggesting a state of pensive repose. Stewart's choice of subject matter reflects the Western fascination with non-Western cultures, particularly the Middle East and North Africa. This fascination often exoticized and romanticized these cultures, presenting them as timeless and mysterious. Stewart, an American expatriate in Paris, navigated the art world shaped by powerful institutions like the French Academy. His work reflects the aesthetic preferences of his time, but also perpetuates a colonial gaze. As historians, we examine not just what is depicted, but why and how. By consulting travelogues, ethnographic studies, and exhibition records, we can better understand the complex interplay of cultural exchange, power dynamics, and artistic representation during this period.