Presentation of the odalisques to the sultan 1881

Émile Friant painted Presentation of the Odalisques to the Sultan with oil on canvas. Friant embraces the art of painting in his artwork, using traditional techniques, applying layers of pigment and brushstrokes to create texture, depth, and form. The way Friant handles the oil paint influences the appearance of the artwork: the rich colors of the Sultan's rug, the rough texture of the walls, and the soft tones of the women's skin are brought to life. The careful crafting of each stroke adds to the narrative, imbuing the artwork with cultural significance and sparking discussions about labor, politics, and consumption, which often are central to social issues. Friant engages with traditional fine art methods, while alluding to other creative practices like rug-making, which has its own history of skilled traditions and aesthetics. The materials and making processes are essential to understanding the artwork, blurring the boundaries between fine art and craft.