Existing comment:
Exoticism:
North Africa was a great inspiration to French artists in the second half of the nineteenth century. While some visited French colonies in Morocco and Algeria, others were inspired by orientalist literature to fantasize about an exotic culture of warmth, vibrant color, and sensuality. In 1832, the young Delacroix traveled for several months in North Africa and devoted much of his subsequent career to romantic scenes of lion hunts, mounted sword battles, and the hidden world of harems. His luscious color palette influenced younger generations of artists, including Renoir and Matisse. The paintings in this gallery indulge in the sensual representation of fabric and flesh, the mystery and romance of exotic locales, and the tactile pleasure of paint itself. |