Reclining Odalisque

c. 1923

Henri Matisse

(French, 1869–1954)

Culture

France, 20th century

Medium

graphite

Support

Cream(1) wove paper, slightly discolored

Measurements

Sheet: 28.2 x 38.5 cm (11 1/8 x 15 3/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland 1927.300

This artwork is known to be under copyright.

Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

Henri Matisse was inspired to take up the subject of odalisques after visiting Morocco about a decade before this drawing was made.

Description

During the 1920s, Matisse used various media to represent odalisques -- female slaves or concubines in the harem of a Turkish sultan. Rather than aiming for a realistic representation of these women, however, Matisse used obviously European models, costumed and arranged with Eastern props in his studio. This drawing depicts his favorite sitter during this period, a French woman named Henriette Darricarrère, who appears in culottes with her arms raised behind her head. Matisse made marks with pencil that he then changed and strengthened as he worked, carefully but quickly constructing the figure with soft, rounded forms. He smeared the graphite in places to model and shade with a variety of tones.