Harem #36 2013

Lalla Essaydi made "Harem #36" to question orientalist fantasies. The image is full of pattern, textiles, and gold tones. These form a backdrop for the women in the foreground, who have henna designs painted on their skin which blend in with the patterns around them. The surface of the photograph itself is smooth, but the eye is drawn to the textures within the image, where Essaydi creates a tension between surface and depth. Look at the way the artist repeats motifs, like the teardrop shapes in the tapestry and the women’s clothing. Each detail offers a visual echo, suggesting a kind of conversation taking place across the piece. It reminds me of Matisse's interiors, but with a deliberate political edge. It is a powerful statement about the representation of women and challenges traditional notions of beauty and identity.