On the reflection of the events of the medieval history of France in European paintings of the XIX century (in line with the West-East problem)

Abstract

One of the significant events in French and even European history as a whole in the 18th-19th centuries, which should be considered in the context of the West-East problem, was the Battle of Poiier in 732, which impeded the further advancement of the Arab Caliphate in Europe. Modern historians are not inclined to overestimate the significance of this battle. Nevertheless, the study of the reaction to it in European culture, especially painting, of the modern era, is important for assessing the attitude of the political and intellectual elite of that time to the peoples of the Middle East, who appeared in the 19th century. The object of colonial expansion by the world empires of the West. In 1837, the German artist with Russian roots Ch. De Steiben presented a canvas dedicated to this battle to the gallery of the great battles of the Palace of Versailles. This article is an analysis of Steiben’s work. The author seeks to show that the picture of this painter presents the collision of two worlds - Christianity and Islam, given, in fact, from the standpoint of such a well-known trend of intellectual (artistic and political) thought as Orientalism. Frankish characters are presented as gallant and unyielding fighters, led by the majordomo Karl - the hope of Christendom, whose victory is beyond doubt. Arab, Muslim warriors are depicted confused and fleeing, seized with fear, only some of them strive to resist. The reason for this is that the representatives of Islam are overly sensual and pampered, prone to voluptuousness and luxury, as opposed to the ascetic and courageous Franks. The cultural and civilizational difference between the two camps is given with the help of weapons, clothing and some other attributes, in the representation of which there are many historical inaccuracies, exaggerations, often associated with the artist’s dependence on the level of historical ideas of his time. The ultimate goal of the painter is to highlight the difference between the carriers of Western and Eastern cultures, to show the superiority of “civilized” Europe over the Eastern “barbarians”, willingly or unwillingly, justifying the colonial expansion to the East taking place in his time. At one time, Steiben’s canvas played, especially for not too sophisticated viewers, the role of one of the brightest symbols of the victorious Western world, and above all, the French monarchy. This work is one of the experiences of mastering the reality of the Other’s world in line with the relationship between the West and the East with the help of techniques characteristic of the Orientalist view of a foreign culture, in order to create a sense of superiority over the incivilizational environment among the bearers of their community.

Keywords

• orientalism
• imagology
• intellectual history
• european painting of the 19th century