Odalisque, Slave, and Eunuch
1839-1840
Ingres loved painting reclining nude women in exotic, harem-like settings, and this 1839 masterpiece is a perfect example of his fascination with Orientalism. The scene features a languid odalisque relaxing on a luxurious rug while a servant plays a stringed instrument and a eunuch stands guard in the background. Ingres was famous for playing fast and loose with human anatomy to achieve a more graceful, elongated look—art critics of his time even joked that the reclining woman had a few extra vertebrae!
- Technique
- oil on canvas
Location: Fogg Museum, Harvard Art Museums
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