Algerische Jüdin auf dem Friedhof 1877

Wilhelm Gentz made this pencil drawing of an Algerian Jewish woman in the 19th century. It’s a poignant image, showing her bent in solemn prayer at a graveside. But it’s also a product of its time, when European artists were fascinated by the so-called “Orient,” often exoticizing its cultures. Gentz was German, and like many artists, he traveled to North Africa seeking new subjects. Algeria had been colonized by France, creating a complex social hierarchy. How did Gentz, as a European artist, view this woman and her community? We can read this image through the lens of colonialism. Is it a respectful portrayal, or does it perpetuate stereotypes? The title itself, "Algerian Jewess in the Cemetery," tells us a lot about how Gentz was thinking about it. To understand this, we need to know more about the representation of Jewish people in 19th-century art. And about the colonial context in which it was made. Art history is detective work, piecing together the social, political, and cultural forces that shape what we see.