Mother and Child 1888

Alexandre Bida made this pencil drawing titled "Mother and Child" in 1885. Bida was a French artist known for his Orientalist themes, and this work reflects the 19th-century European fascination with the Middle East. The drawing depicts a woman, presumably from the Middle East, holding a child. Her clothing and the architectural details suggest an exotic locale, viewed through the lens of French Imperialism. The image participates in a long history of representing non-Western cultures as "other," often reinforcing stereotypes. The visual codes here reflect the power dynamics of the time, with European artists like Bida shaping perceptions of foreign lands for a domestic audience. To truly understand this work, one must consider the legacy of colonialism and Orientalism, researching historical texts, travelogues, and art criticism from the period. The meaning of this drawing is inseparable from its social and institutional context.