Fumeur de narguilé 

Henri Leopold Lévy painted "Fumeur de narguilé", or "Hookah Smoker", in the late 19th century. During this time, Orientalism was a popular European artistic movement, as artists depicted romanticized views of the "East." Here, the relaxed posture of the man smoking a hookah conveys a sense of leisure and exoticism. The artist emphasizes rich fabrics, intricate metalwork, and the hookah itself, all contributing to the allure of the scene. The painting reflects the power dynamics inherent in Orientalist art, where Western artists often portrayed people from different cultures through a lens that emphasized stereotypes, and conformed to Western expectations and fantasies. Consider how this depiction might contrast with the daily realities and cultural richness of the people and places being represented. This artwork invites us to reflect on the complexities of cultural exchange and representation, and on whose terms those representations are made.