L'Odalisque 1852

Charles Alexandre Debacq's "L'Odalisque" (1852) is a lithograph depicting a reclining female figure, likely a woman from the Ottoman Empire, a popular subject of French Orientalism. The figure rests on luxurious drapery, her hand reaching towards a small object. This work captures the idealized, romanticized view of Eastern women prevalent in 19th-century European art, emphasizing the exotic and sensual. The use of black and white tones contributes to the dramatic lighting and adds to the sense of mystery and allure.