Street in Meknes 1832

Eugène Delacroix painted this scene, Street in Meknes, after spending six months in Morocco as part of a diplomatic mission to the Sultan. This painting reflects a Western fascination with the “Orient” that was very popular in the nineteenth century. We see this in the clothing, the architecture, and the depiction of daily life, all viewed through the lens of French colonialism. The image constructs meaning through its exotic depiction of people in a North African city. The painting’s interest lies in the people who inhabit the street, with the artist paying close attention to how they live and interact. Delacroix’s travels shaped his orientalist views, and the painting reflects the politics of imagery during the expansion of empire. Further research into Delacroix’s journals and letters from this period might clarify the meanings of this painting. Art historians explore such images, using them to uncover the colonial context of their creation.