Odalisque

An odalisque is a historical term referring to a female slave or concubine in Ottoman Turkish harem contexts, often depicted in art. In art history, it describes a genre of exoticized female figures, usually reclining and partially nude, popularized by 19th-century European painters like Ingres and Delacroix. These images often romanticize and sensualize the female subject, emphasizing beauty, leisure, and allure, while reflecting Western fascination with Eastern subjects. The term and imagery can carry connotations of objectification, but it also represents a specific artistic style and cultural perception from that era.