At the Souk 

Eugène Girardet painted ‘At the Souk’ to reflect his experiences in North Africa during the late 19th century. As a European artist, Girardet participated in what is known as Orientalism; that is, how Western artists depicted the “Orient”. This painting reflects the dynamics of cultural exchange and representation. We see figures in traditional North African attire engaged in commerce, surrounded by the architecture typical of a souk, or marketplace. How might we read the power dynamics in this scene, given Girardet’s position as a European artist portraying a non-European setting? The male figures are actively engaged in trade, while the women are veiled and presented as objects of interest. Consider too the figure seated on the left, set apart, perhaps a beggar, or an outcast. Girardet's painting invites us to contemplate the complexities of cultural exchange, while prompting questions about whose perspectives are privileged and whose are marginalized.