Lure of the Exotic: Orientalism in 19th Century Art

Based on key works from the collection combined with loans from institutions around the state, this exhibition looks at the phenomenon of 19th century "Orientalism" which is the term used to describe elements and motifs from Asia, Africa, and the Near East in European art of this century. After Napoleon invaded Egypt in 1798 and the massive 10 volume Description de L'Egypte was published by the small army of scholars he brought along, the craze for all things exotic from distant lands took hold of the European imagination and permeated the arts.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website