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"Interior of a Mosque" Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1890-1899, Oil on Canvas

Introduction

"Interior of a Mosque" was painted by Jean Léon Gérôme, with painting beginning in 1890 and finishing by 1899. It is oil on canvas and measures 23 3/8 inches by 35 3/8 inches. This work of art is currently on view in the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, New York and belongs to the Hiram Sibley Collection. Hiram Sibley was a philanthropist and art collector in the 19th century, whose daughter, Emily Sibley, actually founded the Memorial Art Gallery. He donated his art collection to the MAG and it has remained ever since. Gérôme is a very well-known name associated with the beginnings of the Orientalist art movement. He is responsible for some of the most widely debated depictions of Orientalism in the context of art, which is loosely defined as depictions or imitations of Eastern culture without deep understanding or knowledge. These shallow understandings of Eastern culture were developed and defined alongside the industrialization of the Western World during the 19th century.

Description of the Work

This work is characterized by the figures who are all facing away from us. The setting they appear in is one we can understand to be a mosque from the title of the work. Because we know the setting of the work, we are led to understand that the figures are present in the space to worship and practice their religion. The forms, including both the physical space and the figures, are more life-like in the style of painting used. This also contributes to the smooth texture that the work appears to have. The curves are all extremely natural and give a more life-like feel. Some of the figures present in the work in are kneeling on the group in positions of prayer while others are standing. Some are more hunched over while some stand straight and tall. We cannot see their faces, so we cannot tell for sure what the genders of the figures are. All the figures are also wearing some sort of fabric on their heads. They do not drop onto their shoulders, which might mean that they are turbans. The actually structure of the mosque is characterized by lots of natural lighting that comes from a hole in the ceiling. It creates shadows on the ground below, casted by both the figures and the tall supports that connect to the ceiling. There are some patterns on the arches of the mosque, but nothing is colored unnaturally. The mosque is a combination of browns, tans and yellows. There is also a green gate that can be seen further back in the space. Because of some of the details that have already been described, this work does not really take on an overly dramatic form of expression. It is more easily described as having serene, calm and peaceful themes and undertones.

More on Colors: Connection to the Koran

The painting utilizes bright colors such as vivid greens, blues and reds within the clothing of the figures. In the Islamic religion, each of these colors do have a significance. Green is said to symbolize a paradise and is also associated with the Prophet Muhammed. It is cited in the Koran as having two different meanings. The first being that green is the color used to describe the clothing worn by believers in heaven as well as the color of the furniture. The second is lush and fruitful lands. It is a sacred color also connected to renewal and symbolizing life. Blue is considered a more protective color. It represents peace and tranquility, as well as spirituality and the heavens. An interesting thing to note is that a different academic journal writes that blue has a negative connotation and is actually associated with the eyes of sinners. This could be connected to the fact that Gérôme was actively participating in the notion of being Orientalist through art. He used colors in his work without a deeper understanding of what they represent in the Islamic culture. When it comes to red it is mentioned in the Koran only one time. It is described in the context of colors created by God and mountains. It is also representative of blood and war. It has both positive and negative connotations associated with it. Further analyzing, red is also connected to gender differentiation as some hues of red were prohibited for men to wear. Simply, red is meant to symbolize power and strength as well as love. The surrounding area that is the actual structure of the mosque is painted with browns, tans and yellows.