HISTORY OF ART: IDENTITY: LA GRANDE ODALISQUE

artist

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres

medium

oil on canvas

dimensions

91 × 162 cm

date

1814

artist information

Jenan-august-dominique ingres was a French Academic, Neo-classical painter trained by Jacques Louis David

genre

he moved away from he strict rules of virtue and precision in neoclassicism towards the idealisation of romanticism, finding a tense balance between both movements

orientalism

was a European idea in the 19th century which regarded Middle East as a static and decadent culture that was often portrayed in artworks and literature in order to establish Europe as virtuous and progressive.

anatomically inaccurate elongated back

sexualised and idealised to create an imagined construction appealing to male fantasy

invisible brushstrokes

creates a softness and glow that enhances the textures and sense of luxury.

figure surrounded by a variety of silks

atmosphere of sensuality and luxury

headscarf, fan, pipe

foreign to europeans, enhances orientalism and ideas of the other with stereotypically exotic objects

dark, cool blue tones

contrasts with the warm tones for the skin, enahncing it.

direct but relaxed gaze and reclining posture

welcomes the viewer

critic text ‘a portrait can be subject to…

‘a portrait can be subject to… social or artistic conventions’ (Shearer West)