Odalisque Francois Boucher Date: c.1749 Style: Rococo Genre: nude painting (nu) Media: oil, canvas Dimensions: 64.5 x 53.5 cm Location: Louvre, Paris, France
An odalisque is an assistant to the wives in a Turkish harem. Odalisques were slaves usually given as gifts to the Sultan. If an odalisque was deemed worthy, the Sultan might choose to make sexy time with her. She would then be promoted to concubine, a type of junior wife.
Denis Diderot, a famous French philosopher, art critic, and contemporary of Boucher, was horrified when he saw this painting of a voluptuous woman presenting her naked butt. He accused Boucher of using his own wife as the model and 'prostituting' her.
Diderot really had it in for Boucher. He also claimed that a blonde version of the painting was of one of the King's mistresses. At the time, getting in trouble with the king could get you killed in a hurry.
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