Odalisque with Slave (1858) by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Odalisque with Slave - Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres - 1858

Artwork Information

TitleOdalisque with Slave
ArtistJean Auguste Dominique Ingres
Date1858
Dimensions34.5 x 47.5 cm
Art MovementNeoclassicism,Orientalism

About Odalisque with Slave

The artwork entitled “Odalisque with Slave” was created by the esteemed artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres in the year 1858. It is a notable example of Neoclassicism and Orientalism, measuring 34.5 by 47.5 centimeters. Characterized as a portrait, it reflects the fascination of the 19th-century European art with the exotic and luxurious aspects of the East.

In this depiction, the term “odalisque” traditionally refers to a female inhabitant of a harem, and the artwork resonates with Romantic orientalist fantasies. It shows an elaborately dressed female figure seated upright and playing a stringed instrument suggestive of leisure and affluence within a harem setting. The intricate details of her attire and the delicate jewelry evoke a sense of opulence. She is attended by a standing male figure, possibly a slave, who appears in a background position, gazing outwards towards the viewer. This interaction between the figures, along with the use of space and luxurious surroundings, emphasizes a narrative of servitude and leisure specific to orientalist imagery.

The recumbent female figure’s pose and the sumptuous surroundings—manifested in rich textiles, ornate furnishings, and architectural elements—create a voyeuristic tableau centered on notions of exoticism and sensuality. The artwork’s composition, with its quiet palette and detailed draftsmanship, is indicative of Ingres’ meticulous approach to form and his ability to convey texture and material. This piece is a significant example of how artists of the Neoclassical period often merged a revivalist approach to classical subject matter with contemporary themes and styles, including Orientalism.

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