Women of Algiers 1833

Eugène Delacroix created this print, "Women of Algiers," which is currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, from an original painting he made after visiting North Africa in 1832. Delacroix's journey took place just two years after France initiated its colonial conquest of Algeria. His paintings and prints, influenced by this experience, offer a window into the dynamics between the colonizer and the colonized. Delacroix sought to capture a sense of authenticity, writing about his efforts to represent Algerian life accurately. However, the "Women of Algiers" series raises questions about representation and power. The women are depicted in a domestic, interior space, reflecting the orientalist fantasies of the time. Are these women accurately represented, or are they seen through the lens of a European male artist? The image encourages us to think about how cultural encounters shape perceptions and how these perceptions impact identity.