Camels in a Landscape 1820 - 1866

Victor Adam made this tiny drawing called 'Camels in a Landscape' sometime in the first half of the 19th century, with graphite on paper. Its size makes it seem like a simple sketch, but the subject has wider social and cultural implications. The image depicts two camels with figures resting in their shade, against a backdrop of buildings and trees. This is France, a country with a rich tradition of Orientalist art, which was encouraged and promoted by the French academy. Orientalist imagery served a political function as it was used to justify French colonial expansion into North Africa and the Middle East, as France’s empire grew. By depicting the “Orient” as exotic, mysterious, and populated by people in need of civilizing, Orientalist art helped to create a narrative that supported French colonial ambitions. Examining these images with an understanding of the history of colonialism helps us understand its cultural legacy today.