An odalisque was a female slave in an Ottoman seraglio. During the 19th century, odalisques became common fantasy figures in the artistic movement known as Orientalism, being featured in many erotic paintings from that era.
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orientalist representations of harem women r quite amusing. the women almost always look completely european but r placed in some sort of “morally loose” environment (by western stds) in various stages of undress. totally cater to european male fantasies. compare to lalla essaydi’s interpretation.