Odalisca
1937
Emile Bernard, a close friend of Van Gogh and Gauguin, revisited the classic 'Odalisque' theme late in his life with this serene 1937 painting. While he's famous for helping invent the bold, flat 'Cloisonnism' style alongside Gauguin, this later work shows a return to softer, more traditional modeling. The reclining figure, adorned with gold jewelry and resting on rich fabrics, echoes the exotic fantasies of 19th-century masters like Ingres, but with a distinctly modern, intimate feel. The visible cracking across the surface adds a layer of history to this peaceful, dreamlike scene.
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