The Smoking Moor

"Smoking Moor" by Peder Mønsted, painted in 1893, is an intimate portrait of a Muslim man of Arab descent from North Africa. The man is shown in profile, wrapped in layered, textured fabrics around his head and shoulders. His calm, reflective expression as he smokes a cigarette is emphasized by the shadow cast across his face. Mønsted uses earthy whites, grays, and browns to highlight the intricate folds of the fabric, focusing attention on the quiet dignity of the figure. The simple background ensures that the man’s strong features and traditional attire remain the focal points of this late 19th-century work.