Odalisque

Odalisque by Édouard Manet French, 1832-1883, is a striking 1868 print executed using etching and aquatint in black on buff laid paper. This complex intaglio technique allowed Manet to combine the expressive linearity of etching with the broad, subtle tonal areas characteristic of aquatint. The resulting image exhibits the bold contrasts and dramatic depth for which the artist is known, demonstrating his profound engagement with the graphic arts during this crucial phase of his career.

The subject of the Odalisque, a reclining, semi-draped female figure, is deeply rooted in European academic tradition and the popular French fascination with Orientalism. However, Manet approached this classic theme with a characteristically modern sensibility. Unlike the highly idealized and polished figures of his predecessors, this work focuses intensely on texture and form achieved solely through the stark application of black ink, foregoing the color typical of oil painting to emphasize the compositional flatness inherent in the printing medium.

Manet produced a significant body of prints throughout his career, positioning him as a central figure in the 19th-century French revival of the graphic arts. This specific impression exemplifies his commitment to the medium and his exploration of female form outside of traditional mythological narratives. As a foundational work from this period, this piece is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it contributes significantly to the institution’s renowned holdings of prints and drawings, providing public access to one of the era’s most influential artists.