The Snake Charmer
Painting Analysis
Question 3
Linda Nochlin’s “Imaginary orient” describes the historians suggested critique or perception of art, in particular her view towards sexist-oriented art and racial-based depictions of individuals of African origin especially by western artists. The paintings under analysis fit the profiled descriptions that Nochlin describes as imaginary orient. Both Jean-Leon Gerome’s “The Snake Charmer” and Eugene Delacroix’s “Death of Sardanapalus” point to a suggested imperialist perception adopted by West towards the East. Further, a sense of timelessness that seems unique among western painters is evident within the paintings, particularly “The Snake Charmer” where depictions of a serene setting augment Nochlin’s depiction …show more content…
The theme on sexism is also evident within the Delacroix’s painting, where depictions of naked women appear to stand out amidst the rather chaotic setting illustrated in situ. Nochlin’s perception on the naked female form may have been a strong indication on sexism, but could equally illustrate the artists’ respect for the suggested pictorial outlook (and/or the female body). For instance, centrality of naked women could indicate the artists’ love for women or feminine values. This can be illustrated further through the rather seductive appeal both pictures offer by having the female form as a key element in situ. On the context of racism, depictions of black and brown forms (people) seem to feature largely as background elements, hence the rather objective and conservative western ideologies suggested for the artists. Both pictures seem to depict beauty and centrality with white, hence the ‘white’ female form, ‘white’ on the foreground, and ‘white’ as focus of the suggested illustrations. Further, Delacroix’s painting offers contrasting depictions of serene and chaotic scenes describing white and black people within the picture. The black man at the foreground for instance, demonstrates a sense of labored existence against a backdrop of white men and women that
Question 3
Linda Nochlin’s “Imaginary orient” describes the historians suggested critique or perception of art, in particular her view towards sexist-oriented art and racial-based depictions of individuals of African origin especially by western artists. The paintings under analysis fit the profiled descriptions that Nochlin describes as imaginary orient. Both Jean-Leon Gerome’s “The Snake Charmer” and Eugene Delacroix’s “Death of Sardanapalus” point to a suggested imperialist perception adopted by West towards the East. Further, a sense of timelessness that seems unique among western painters is evident within the paintings, particularly “The Snake Charmer” where depictions of a serene setting augment Nochlin’s depiction …show more content…
The theme on sexism is also evident within the Delacroix’s painting, where depictions of naked women appear to stand out amidst the rather chaotic setting illustrated in situ. Nochlin’s perception on the naked female form may have been a strong indication on sexism, but could equally illustrate the artists’ respect for the suggested pictorial outlook (and/or the female body). For instance, centrality of naked women could indicate the artists’ love for women or feminine values. This can be illustrated further through the rather seductive appeal both pictures offer by having the female form as a key element in situ. On the context of racism, depictions of black and brown forms (people) seem to feature largely as background elements, hence the rather objective and conservative western ideologies suggested for the artists. Both pictures seem to depict beauty and centrality with white, hence the ‘white’ female form, ‘white’ on the foreground, and ‘white’ as focus of the suggested illustrations. Further, Delacroix’s painting offers contrasting depictions of serene and chaotic scenes describing white and black people within the picture. The black man at the foreground for instance, demonstrates a sense of labored existence against a backdrop of white men and women that