Harem Beauty #1 2008

Lalla Essaydi conjures this photograph of a reclining woman, adorned and merged with her surroundings, sometime after 1956. The sepia tones create a dreamy, almost surreal atmosphere. I imagine Essaydi carefully composing the scene, thinking about the history of painting and orientalism. The calligraphy that covers the walls and the woman's skin is so striking. I wonder what it was like for the model to sit for hours being painted. There is a flattening of space, the figure blends into the background, challenging the viewer's perception. It reminds me of the work of painters like Matisse, who were interested in pattern and decoration. Essaydi creates a dialogue between painting, photography, and the representation of women in art history. Artists often borrow from and build upon each other's ideas. This piece invites us to question our assumptions and explore the beauty and complexity of cultural identity. There’s no single way to interpret it, and that’s part of its power.