Reclining Odalisque

Reclining Odalisque (also known as Woman with a Parakeet), painted by Eugène Delacroix in 1827, is a sensuous portrayal of a reclining nude woman set against a richly adorned backdrop. The figure, depicted with naturalistic detail and a sense of languid ease, rests on luxurious fabrics, their vibrant hues and textures accentuating the composition's exotic atmosphere. Delacroix's adept use of light and shadow highlights the soft contours of the woman's body, emphasizing her relaxed posture and the intimacy of the scene. The presence of a parakeet, a symbol of the Orient, further enhances the painting's orientalism, a theme popular during the Romantic period. This work showcases Delacroix's mastery of color and his fascination with capturing both the sensuality and mystery of Eastern-inspired subjects.