Women of Algiers in their Apartment by Eugène Delacroix, 1834
In the 19th century, an interest in the exotic and travel to North Africa were regarded as essential sources of new artistic inspiration and experience. Eugène Delacroix was among the first European artists to travel to Morocco, spending six months there as part of a diplomatic mission. During his travels, he filled seven sketchbooks recording the people, landscapes, colors, and atmosphere of the country, taking a journey that would later contribute significantly to the development of Orientalism. His example inspired many later artists, including Henri Matisse, Wassily Kandinsky, Gabriele Münter, Paul Klee, and August Macke, who also travelled to North Africa in search of artistic renewal. Art historian Joseph Paul Cassar reviews the works of these artists and the impact traveling to North Africa had on their exploration of new ideas.
October 14 Delacroix in Morocco, 1832
Eugene Delacroix’s Moroccan travels in 1832 produced several diaries filled with sketches in watercolor of local women, showing special attention paid to their costumes and their jewelry. The trip proved to be an aesthetic shock for the artist and filled with curiosity, as he amassed notes and drawings in his notebooks that constituted a rich pictorial repertoire of inspiration for his future Orientalist paintings.
October 21 Matisse in Tangier
In 1912 and 1913 Henri Matisse travelled to Tangier where he was inspired by its vibrant colors, architecture, and textiles. There he sketched mostly in pen and ink and developed paintings that showcased his bold new approach to works exploring light and color.
October 28 Kandinsky and Gabriele Münter in Tunisia
Wassily Kandinsky travelled with his lover Gabriele Münter to Tunisia in 1904–1905 where they stayed for a period of three months. There they painted landscapes of cities such as Tunis, Carthage, and Sousse and Gabriele took several photographs when she could buy Kodak film for her handheld camera. These experiences proved to have a lasting impact on Kandinsky’s way of seeing.
November 4 Paul Klee and August Macke in Tunisia
Paul Klee and August Macke travelled together on a two-week working holiday to Tunisia in 1914. There they explored the markets, the Islamic architecture and landscape of St Germain, Kairouan, and Hammamet. The experience was a revelation for the two artists in the exploration of color and its abstract qualities. They later transformed the light of North Africa into a new pictorial language.
4 sessions
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