Artwork
The Favourite Odalisque
The Favourite Odalisque is a watercolor work on paper by the Orientalist artist Thomas Allom. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This watercolour, titled The Favourite Odalisque, depicts a serene and opulent interior scene featuring three women in relaxed poses. Created by Thomas Allom, it was originally intended as an illustration for a book of lithographs.
Subject & Meaning
The scene represents a fantastical harem, drawing on common 19th-century European imaginings of North African and Turkish domestic spaces. The 'odalisque' refers to a Circassian or Georgian slave, often considered a favourite by her master, as described in the accompanying text in Character and Costume in Turkey and Italy.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the work showcases Allom's loose and rapid style, characteristic of his topographical art. The fluid rendering of fabrics and figures suggests a sketch-like quality, reflecting the artist's ability to capture scenes with immediacy.
History & Provenance
The Favourite Odalisque was created for Character and Costume in Turkey and Italy, published in 1840. Allom, primarily known as a topographical artist and architect, contributed extensively to illustrated books, producing over 1500 illustrations during his career.
Context
The painting reflects the 19th-century European fascination with exoticised representations of Eastern cultures. Allom's work, though imaginative and not based on first-hand experience of a harem, catered to the demand for such imagery among travellers and armchair tourists.
Artist & collection
Artist
Thomas Allom (13 March 1804 – 21 October 1872) was an English architect, artist, and topographical illustrator.
