One of the most appealing hookah related paintings is Gérome's "The Hookah Lighter". Now I must admit that I've got a hookah lighter myself, but it works with a little bit of liquid propane, and I have to operate it myself. That's a vast (even essential!) difference with the naked lady on the painting, who not only seems more dedicated to the job than any, even the technologically most advanced, mechanical hookah lighting contraption can ever be, but she also looks considerably better! Apart from all male chauvinist pigginess: especially during the 19th century "the Orient" was a popular subject for paintings, and the Sheherezade-like combination of human sensuality and shisha smoking delight was depicted quite often.