Moorish Woman 2008

Lalla Essaydi made this photograph, Moorish Woman, using the language of painting. It's all about layering and repetition, like building up brushstrokes, except here the brushstrokes are actually lines of text, painted or drawn in henna. The whole image feels like a unified field, almost like a textile, with the figure blending into the background. Look closely and you can see how the henna marks on the woman’s skin echo the calligraphy around her, blurring the lines between body and environment. The color palette is muted and monochromatic, like an Agnes Martin painting, except instead of cool restraint, there’s a feeling of warmth. The tones blend into each other, creating a dreamlike space. Thinking about artists like Shirin Neshat, there’s a common thread of exploring identity through the lens of cultural and historical representation. It’s not about answers but about posing questions and opening up spaces for dialogue.