Exterior of the Great Mosque, Brussa 1838

John Frederick Lewis created this intricate lithograph of the Exterior of the Great Mosque in Brussa during a time when the West's fascination with the "Orient" was at its peak. Lewis, like many of his contemporaries, traveled to the Middle East, seeking exotic and picturesque scenes. This work captures the architectural grandeur of the mosque, yet it also offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the people who inhabit this space. Men and women are depicted engaging in commerce, leisurely seated, their clothing and activities rendered with careful detail. The light of the image, although monotone, attempts to highlight the ethnic diversity and cultural richness of the scene. However, it's important to reflect on the power dynamics at play. As a Western artist, Lewis was interpreting and representing a culture that was not his own. The artwork embodies both a genuine admiration for Islamic architecture and an orientalist perspective that exoticizes and romanticizes the East. It is in these historical details that we can recognize both the emotional and cultural nuances of the image.