I think Ernst's harem scene is very gently depicted, and have created a link to http://melbourneblogger.blogspot.com/2009/04/orientalist-art-harem.html . I am sure no men were ever allowed into harems, but the two attendants seem of ambiguous gender. Perhaps that was the point. Harem attendants weren't even complete people.
The post you have written about harem's is very informative. Thanks Helen! You are right men were not allowed into Harems. In Islamic culture only your father and brothers are allowed to see you without the head covering. Women are supposed to cover up for other male relatives and especially strangers.
In a public bath, men and women to this day are separated. Women are allowed to bring their young sons for bathing, but there is an age limit. So it would not come as a surprise that a harem bathing scene would not show men. This is an example of pure artistic fabrication intended for the male art buyer. Lovely handled it is a beautiful painting.
3 comments:
I think Ernst's harem scene is very gently depicted, and have created a link to http://melbourneblogger.blogspot.com/2009/04/orientalist-art-harem.html . I am sure no men were ever allowed into harems, but the two attendants seem of ambiguous gender. Perhaps that was the point. Harem attendants weren't even complete people.
many thanks
Hels
What a great picture - love all the detailing.
The post you have written about harem's is very informative. Thanks Helen! You are right men were not allowed into Harems. In Islamic culture only your father and brothers are allowed to see you without the head covering. Women are supposed to cover up for other male relatives and especially strangers.
In a public bath, men and women to this day are separated. Women are allowed to bring their young sons for bathing, but there is an age limit. So it would not come as a surprise that a harem bathing scene would not show men. This is an example of pure artistic fabrication intended for the male art buyer. Lovely handled it is a beautiful painting.
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