Les Orientalistes

In the 19th century, the doors of the Orient opened to Western painters attracted by the mysteries of far-off lands. Dazzled by the light of the far south, which reveals the topography of these arid landscapes and highlights the colors of the buildings’ spectacular motifs, Orientalists like Delacroix, Gérôme and Ingres, and other major names from European expressionism, now invite visitors to embark on a pictorial expedition to the new, exotic, and bewitching world of the Orient of our dreams. Delacroix’s travel diaries begin the tale, immersing visitors in an itinerary steeped in the play of light and shade, the scent of spice, the rhythm of oriental instruments and quick sketches of hitherto unseen lives. Then come other great names, such as Constant, Frère, Vernet, Gérôme, Guillaumet, Belly, Richter and Dinet, amongst others, creating what they hope will be a marvelous, luxurious backdrop for an inspiring elsewhere.