Odalisque with Slave 1858

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres created this drawing, "Odalisque with Slave," which transports us to a scene of orientalist fantasy. Ingres painted this scene during a period of increased European interest in and colonization of the Middle East and North Africa. Here, in a harem setting, we observe a white, nude, reclining woman attended by a Black servant and musician. These types of orientalist paintings often reflected colonial power dynamics and the sexual objectification of women, particularly those from non-Western cultures. The artist develops traditional representations by focusing on the sensual and exotic allure of the East, which caters to Western fantasies and desires. Consider the power dynamics Ingres portrays. How do race, gender, and class intersect to define the relationships between these figures? How does it feel to view this scene through a contemporary lens, aware of the historical context of colonialism and its enduring legacies? The intimate scene invites us to reflect on the historical gaze and our own position as viewers.