"In art history, literature and cultural studies, Orientalism is the imitation or depiction of aspects of the Eastern world by writers, designers, and artists from the Western world."
A term coined by Edward Said to describe the way in which Western countries constructed and represented the 'Orient' (i.e. Asia, Middle East, North Africa) as exotic, inferior, and other.
Imperialism: This is the practice of a dominant country extending its power and influence over weaker nations or territories, which is an important historical context for understanding Orientalism.
Eurocentrism: This is the ideology that European culture is superior to all other cultures, which is closely related to Orientalism.
Otherness: This refers to the practice of defining groups of people as "other" because of their cultural, racial, or social differences from the dominant group.
Exoticism: This is a fascination with foreign cultures and peoples that often involves objectifying and romanticizing them.
Stereotyping: This is the practice of making generalizations about people based on their perceived cultural, racial, or social characteristics.
Power and privilege: This refers to the unequal distribution of power and resources between different social groups, which often plays a key role in Orientalist discourse.
Colonialism: This is the practice of acquiring and maintaining colonies, which is closely related to Orientalism and often involves the exploitation and subordination of colonized peoples.
Cultural appropriation: This is the practice of taking elements from other cultures without understanding or respecting their cultural meanings or contexts, which can reinforce Orientalist stereotypes.
Postcolonial theory: This is a field of study that examines the social, political, and cultural implications of colonialism and its aftereffects, including Orientalism.
Globalization: This refers to the increasing interconnectedness of the world's economies, cultures, and societies, which has both positive and negative consequences for Orientalism and postcolonialism.
Academic Orientalism: This refers to the study of the Orient as a separate, exotic entity, rather than as an equal partner to the Western world.
Literary Orientalism: This refers to the representation of the Orient in Western literature, often depicting it as a primitive, mystical, or erotic realm.
Political Orientalism: This refers to the use of Orientalist stereotypes and narratives to justify imperialist policies and actions in the Orient.
Cultural Orientalism: This refers to the appropriation and commodification of Oriental cultural artifacts and practices by Western societies for profit or pleasure.
Gendered Orientalism: This refers to the representation of gender roles and sexual relations in the Orient as exotic, deviant, or threatening to Western norms.
Artistic Orientalism: This refers to the depiction of the Orient in Western art, often glamorizing and exoticizing it while ignoring its complexity and diversity.
Philosophical Orientalism: This refers to the use of Orientalist ideas and concepts in Western philosophy, often without adequate understanding or appreciation of their cultural and historical context.
Religious Orientalism: This refers to the construction of Oriental religions and beliefs as primitive or inferior to Western Christianity, often as a way to justify missionary or conversion efforts.
"Orientalist painting, particularly of the Middle East, was one of the many specialties of 19th-century academic art."
"Since the publication of Edward Said's Orientalism in 1978, much academic discourse has begun to use the term 'Orientalism' to refer to a general patronizing Western attitude towards Middle Eastern, Asian, and North African societies."
"In Said's analysis, the West essentializes these societies as static and undeveloped—thereby fabricating a view of Oriental culture that can be studied, depicted, and reproduced in the service of imperial power."
"Implicit in this fabrication, writes Said, is the idea that Western society is developed, rational, flexible, and superior."
"This allows Western imagination to see 'Eastern' cultures and people as both alluring and a threat to Western civilization."
"In art history, literature and cultural studies, Orientalism is the imitation or depiction of aspects of the Eastern world by writers, designers, and artists from the Western world."
"Orientalist painting, particularly of the Middle East, was one of the many specialties of 19th-century academic art."
"Since the publication of Edward Said's Orientalism in 1978, much academic discourse has begun to use the term 'Orientalism' to refer to a general patronizing Western attitude towards Middle Eastern, Asian, and North African societies."
"Much academic discourse has begun to use the term 'Orientalism' to refer to a general patronizing Western attitude towards Middle Eastern, Asian, and North African societies."
"In Said's analysis, the West essentializes these societies as static and undeveloped—thereby fabricating a view of Oriental culture that can be studied, depicted, and reproduced in the service of imperial power."
"Implicit in this fabrication, writes Said, is the idea that Western society is developed, rational, flexible, and superior."
"This allows Western imagination to see 'Eastern' cultures and people as both alluring and a threat to Western civilization."
"Orientalist painting, particularly of the Middle East, was one of the many specialties of 19th-century academic art."
"Since the publication of Edward Said's Orientalism in 1978, much academic discourse has begun to use the term 'Orientalism' to refer to a general patronizing Western attitude towards Middle Eastern, Asian, and North African societies."
"In Said's analysis, the West essentializes these societies as static and undeveloped—thereby fabricating a view of Oriental culture that can be studied, depicted, and reproduced in the service of imperial power."
"Implicit in this fabrication, writes Said, is the idea that Western society is developed, rational, flexible, and superior."
"This allows Western imagination to see 'Eastern' cultures and people as both alluring and a threat to Western civilization."
"In art history, literature and cultural studies, Orientalism is the imitation or depiction of aspects of the Eastern world by writers, designers, and artists from the Western world."
"Orientalist painting, particularly of the Middle East, was one of the many specialties of 19th-century academic art."