Odalisque 

Jean-Joseph-Benjamin Constant made this painting of an odalisque with oil on canvas. It is an orientalist painting, a very popular genre in the 19th century that depicted romanticized scenes of North Africa and the Middle East. This painting is full of visual codes related to this cultural phenomenon. On the one hand, there is the title ‘Odalisque’ which refers to a female slave or concubine in a harem, reinforcing Western fantasies about Middle Eastern harems as places of sexual exoticism and mystery. On the other hand, we can see the setting, with rich fabrics, ornate furniture, and a languid, sensual atmosphere. Constant was a French artist who traveled to Morocco and other parts of North Africa, and these experiences informed his artistic style. He exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon, the official art exhibition of the French Academy, and won several awards during his lifetime. Paintings like these show us the relationship between Western power and the cultural institutions that supported colonialism. By researching the art market and French colonial history, we can better understand the social context in which this artwork was made.