Orientalism
“Orientalism, refers to the imitation or depiction of aspects of Eastern cultures in the West by writers, artists and designers”.
Came across these incredibly beautiful paintings while browsing the ever-inspiring Oriental Art.The wonderfully talented artists of the 19th century, paints an array of subjects and topics, including luxurious interiors, hookah smokers in the café, white-faced geisha women, spice merchants calling in the Indian bazaar, landscape, still life, and even horses, but it’s the breathtaking renderings of beautiful women that are most captivating . . .
Queen of the Brigands c 1882, by Frederick Arthur Bridgman (1847-1928)
Harem..Life in harems were full of elaborate affairs and rituals. Status was extremely important to the women and they often competed with each other in clothing and possessions.
La Belle Orientale, by Charles Louis Lucien Muller (1815-1892) French Artist. Women’s headdresses were widely varied and ornate.
Une Beaute Orientale, by Paul de la Boulaye (1849-1926) French Artist
A young oriental beauty, by Nathaniel Sichel (1843-1907) German Artist.
The Oriental, by Friedrich Ritter von Amerling (1803-1887) Austro-Hungarian Artist
She wears an embroidered, woolen Kimono coat or robe coat. One significant aspect of the Ottoman textile industry involving women was embroidery, both domestic and in workshops. Most of the embroidery in the empire came from the Imperial Harem, from the workshops and factories, and from women working independently in their homes.
Almee, by Nathaniel Sichel 1843-1907 German Artist
Human representation in art was not allowed in Islam and so the Orientalists provided us with the first images we had of people of the Middle East.
Oriental girl with Harp, by Nathaniel Sichel 1843-1907 German Artist.
The beautiful clothing of this woman with Japanese traditional elements, attests to the textile industry of the time.
Due to active trade with Europe, many European influences in Ottoman fashion began in the 1700′s…
An elegant beauty by William Clarke Wontner (1857-1930) English Artist
Orientalism & Fashion
Always loved to discover new ways of looking at things…so was thrilled to discover its influence on fashion world… an attempt to choose elements of authentic Chinese, Japanese, and Turkish dress and then adapt the foreignness of those elements to make Western dress more exotic and exciting.
The arrival of the ‘Ballets Russes’ in Paris in 1909 detonated an aesthetic bombshell in the West.
Designs by Russian painter Leon Bakst used bold hues, embroideries, heavy appliqué and ‘harem’ silhouettes, inspired by Orientalism.
The French couturier, Paul Poiret, employed the language of orientalism by launching a sequence of fantastical confections, including “harem” pantaloons in 1911 and “lampshade” tunics in 1913.
John Galliano’s Spring 2007 Couture Collection
Following a tour of Japan, John Galliano created a collection for Christian Dior which pulled elements from Japanese culture into couture looks.. a clear example of how Orientalism functions in contemporary times in the same way that it did 100 years ago.
Marc Jacobs for YSL, SS ’11
YSL…
Gucci, SS ’11
“The purpose of fashion is to create something exotic, something alluring, something different from the banal everyday as a commodity, and this purpose is served by the construction of Orientalism.”
hope you are having a lovely week so far..
xo
Sources(Images and details):
Tags: "lampshade" tunics, 1700, Almee, American, Arab, Art, Asian, Ballets Russes, Clothing, Eastern, Embroidery, European, Fashion, French, Harem, Harp, head dresses, India, Islam, Japan, John Galliano, Kimono, La Belle Orientale, Leon Bakst, Marc Jacobs, Middle east, Orient, Orientalism, Paintings, Paris, Paul Poiret, Queen of the Brigands, SS '11, Textiles, Une Beaute Orientale, Velvet, YSL
you always post the most beautiful things! Inspiring!
I love Almee!
very informative…I’m so glad you posted this!The incredible vibrancy of their culture has me wanting more!
Hello, I enjoy your blog very much. You have a kind way of posting new finds, inspiration and thoughts…Wish you good luck!
Take a look at their architecture too…they are just fantastic! Besides being gorgeous, a lot of the buildings pictured in such paintings have since been destroyed. It begs the question of why explorers didn’t stay around to help preserve the things they claimed to love so much instead of swooping in, taking something, and leaving!
Lovely post Shimai.Thanks for sharing!
Hello everyone! So many great suggestions — thanks so much — looking forward to making new discoveries!
As always, thanks for taking a moment to say hello and for such lovely comments.
What interesting info!
Wow! thanks for all the wonderful information!
I heart your beautiful blog and it’s pretty pictures. I especially loved this post!
Absolutely love these paintings…and what a gorgeous vision!
Loving ‘Ballets Russes’!
Jennifer, Merci, Pony, Lexi…. Thanks so much…such lovely comments, completely made my day..
I love that fifth picture…she looks so carefree and without stress. I strive for that one day. Ha!
TY for sharing Shimai, lovely post..