New Perspectives Talk: Myths of the Orient: Deconstructing the European Vision of the Middle East

Join Eve Rosekind, PhD student in the Department of Art history & Archaeology in Arts & Sciences, for a talk about Orientalism, the artistic representation of the Middle East by European artists. The most common subjects of orientalist artwork that emerged in the nineteenth century were the desert landscape, hunters and warriors, market scenes, and odalisques in harems. These orientalist themes continued throughout the twentieth century, demonstrating the longevity of Orientalism within the history of art.

Initially these orientalist artworks appear as beautiful and straightforward representations of their subject matter, but the ideas that underlie these artistic depictions stem from European histories of colonialism and empire. This talk will scrutinize the common artistic themes of Orientalism and how they constructed a specific European vision and fantasy of the Orient. The Museum’s collection of paintings, photographs, and works on paper will take participants on a journey through the complex themes of European Orientalism.

This program is free, but registration is required.