What does odalisques mean?

Answer 1

Odalisques refer to female figures in a harem, particularly in the context of Ottoman or Middle Eastern culture. The term is often used in art to describe reclining nude women, commonly depicted in 19th-century Western paintings. These artworks frequently idealized and eroticized the image of the odalisque, reflecting Western fantasies about the East. The portrayal often emphasized sensuality and exoticism, shaping perceptions of Eastern women in Western art.