Description
The Great Odalisque is an oil painting by French artist Dominique Ingres, created in 1814. The work shows an exotic, nude woman, believed to be a Turkish concubine, seated on a bed. The painting is known for its neoclassical style, characterized by its emphasis on precision and clarity of drawing, as well as its idealization of the human form.
The Queen of Naples, Carolina Bonaparte, commissioned this Great Odalisque from Ingres to pair it with another nude that has now disappeared. It would never reach its destination when Carolina was overthrown in 1815, acquiring the work years later by the chamberlain of the King of Prussia, Count of Pourtolès-Gorgier. With this figure, the existing interest in those years for the exotic and the oriental is revealed, anticipating Romanticism.
What is interesting about this work is that it has been the subject of controversy due to the exaggerated length of the woman's back, which extends beyond what would be possible in reality. Ingres explained that he had elongated the woman's back to emphasize her elegance and sensuality, but some critics have argued that the deformation of the woman's anatomy is an example of the male obsession with the female body and the idea of the exotic "other". .
Another interesting fact is that the painting has been the subject of numerous reproductions and reinterpretations over the years, in different media and formats, from prints to advertising posters and films.
For example, the image of the exotic and sensual woman has been used in the advertising of beauty and fashion products, and has inspired contemporary artists in their works. He has also appeared in several films, including Luis Bunuel's "Belle de Jour" and Peter Greenaway's "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover."
However, some of these interpretations and usages have been criticized for their stereotypical and objectifying portrayal of women, leading to debate about how works of art can perpetuate or challenge cultural and social norms.
Undoubtedly, The Great Odalisque is and will be recognized as one of the most important works of Western art, not only for its technique and style but also for the influence it has had throughout the history of art.
The Great Odalisque is ranked no. 11 on the list of famous paintings