BFAF is delighted to present its inaugural exhibition Echoes of the Orient. Curated from highlights of the distinguished private collection of His Excellency Bassam Said Freiha, this exhibition offers a window into the West’s long-standing fascination with the East. It unfolds a mosaic of perspectives, a glimpse into how the Middle East has been perceived, portrayed and romanticized over time.
The central theme is the exploration of femininity as envisioned in Orientalist art movement, from the candid representations of odalisques in the harem to the heartfelt depictions of maternal affection.
Echoes of the Orient navigates through the complex interplay of reality and fantasy which has historically defined Orientalist art, highlighting the role of the imagination in shaping Western perceptions of the East. As Professor Faredah Al-Murahhem notes: “Western Orientalists in the 19th century often fantasized about the harem and the veiled women, leading to a skewed understanding of the concept”, with paintings often presenting scenarios that were inauthentic or sensationalized from an Islamic viewpoint.
To challenge such stereotypes and in order to foster a deeper intercultural dialogue, the exhibition juxtaposes Western portrayals with works by Arab artists. Featured alongside works by Rudolphe Ernst, Léon Comerre, Paul Leroy, Jan-Baptist Huysmans and Fabio Fabbi from the Bassam Freiha Collection are significant works on loan by Arab modernists, including Habib Srour, Moustafa Faroukh, Cesar Gemayel, Tawfik Tarek, and early works by the acclaimed Emirati artist Abdul Qader Al Rais.
The inclusion of 19th century Orientalist photographs offers a unique visual journey, transporting visitors back to the era of artist travellers. These photographs not only complement the painted works but also provide a more grounded, albeit still romanticized and stylized, representation of the East. They act as a visual bridge between the Orientalist fantasies captured on the paintings and the realities as viewed through the lens of Western photographers.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported the exhibition with generous loans, namely His Excellency Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Mr. Saleh Barakat, Mr. Abdul Qader Al Rais and Mr. Norbert Schiller.
