In 1885, Van Looy travelled to Morocco. This trip marked a shift in his subject matter toward Orientalism. He avoided the theatrical studio compositions common in earlier decades. Instead, he applied the principles of Dutch Impressionism to the streets of Tangier. His work captures the effects of sunlight on white walls and dusty markets. He chose to paint ordinary subjects like pack donkeys rather than romanticised legends.

Modern collectors appreciate the lack of artifice in these paintings. Van Looy recorded the heat and atmosphere of North Africa with a directness that feels contemporary. His compositions use strong light and shadow to define space. These prints provide a sense of place without the clutter of anecdotal detail. The work remains a clear example of how Dutch artists adapted their techniques to the Mediterranean environment.