Large Odalisque in Striped Pantaloons (Grande Odalisque à culotte bayadère)

Large Odalisque in Striped Pantaloons (Grande Odalisque à culotte bayadère) is a distinctive lithograph created by Henri Matisse in 1925. This sophisticated print exemplifies the artist's intense focus on the odalisque as a recurring motif during his prolific period working in Nice, France, throughout the 1920s. Matisse frequently turned to printmaking during this era, utilizing the lithographic process to explore variations on line, contour, and decorative patterning with remarkable immediacy and precision. The technical characteristics of the medium allowed him to translate the lush, often sensuous energy of his paintings into powerful, reproducible editions.

Matisse often presented the exoticized figure of the odalisque resting within richly patterned, Orientalist-inspired interiors, drawing upon the long tradition of the harem fantasy in Western art. In this piece, the subject is rendered with graphical economy, placing emphasis on the strong outlines of her form and the highly detailed bayadère (striped) pantaloons that define the composition. Rather than relying on heavy shading or dense color, Matisse uses the strength of the drawn line to define volumes and capture the model’s languid, reclining posture, creating a harmonious dialogue between the figure and her ornamental setting.

Created specifically as a refined print rather than a preparatory sketch, this 1925 lithograph confirms Matisse’s dedication to expanding his artistic practice beyond oil on canvas, underscoring his pivotal role in modern French printmaking. The classification of the work as a master print ensures its study and preservation. The enduring influence of this specific subject matter has meant that high-quality images and prints of the piece are widely disseminated, sometimes entering the public domain for broader appreciation. This significant example of Matisse’s graphic output is preserved in the esteemed collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).