Dance of the Almeh

The painting Dance of the Almeh is an oil on canvas painting made by Jean-Léon Gérôme in 1863. The artwork, currently housed at the Dayton Art Institute, measures 81 cm × 50 cm (32 in × 20 in). It depicts a group of men in turbans, seated on a rug-covered floor in an arched room, watching an almeh (a female entertainer) dance. The woman, clad in a flowing white and gold outfit, raises her arms gracefully as she performs. The men, some holding musical instruments, observe her with expressions ranging from boredom to amusement. The scene is richly detailed, capturing the textures of fabrics, the worn stone walls, and the play of light and shadow within the room.