Orientalism

Imitation or depiction of Eastern cultures

In art history, literature, and cultural studies, Orientalism is the imitation or depiction of aspects of the Eastern world (or "Orient") by writers, designers, and artists from the Western world. Orientalist painting, particularly of West Asia and North Africa, was one of the many specialties of 19th-century academic art, and Western literature was influenced by a similar interest in Oriental themes. This reflected a number of factors: the increasing ease of access to Asia and North Africa by artists, the still-colourful clothing worn in Asia, in contrast to relatively drab Western clothing (for men at least), the curiosity of Western art buyers about Asian life, especially in its traditional forms, and increasing economic connections between West and East, with trade and colonialism.

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