At the crossroads between realism and fantasy, fanciful decoration and meaningful symbolism, and admiration and condescension lies Orientalism. In painting, the movement is known for depicting aspects of Middle Eastern and East Asian culture. Much has been debated on the issue of whether the movement’s artists did justice to the cultures they chose to depict. What helps in determining this point is to view at least some of the works in person. The chance is provided by the current exhibition, Encountering the Orient: Masterworks From the Dahesh Museum of Art, which is being hosted by Christie’s New York at the Rockefeller Plaza.
ArtsIslamica 