Artwork
Odaliscă șezând; Bătrân șezând în fotoliu cu o tânără balerină (verso)
Odaliscă șezând; Bătrân șezând în fotoliu cu o tânără balerină (verso) is a print by Iosif Iser. It dates from 1935 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Romanian Literature.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1935 by Romanian painter Iosif Iser, the work titled Odaliscă șezând; Bătrân șezând în fotoliu cu o tânără balerină (verso) presents a solitary female figure seated on the floor. The composition is dominated by her vivid red clothing against a muted green backdrop, conveying a restrained yet intimate atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a woman wrapped in a red garment that covers her waist and legs, topped with a white veil and a subtle red band. Her posture—left arm resting on her stomach, right leg bent, left leg extended—suggests a moment of quiet contemplation, inviting viewers to consider themes of solitude and inner calm.
Technique & Style
Iser employs a limited palette, allowing the bright reds of the dress and veil to stand out against the subdued green background. The rendering of the fabric and veil is smooth, while the figure’s pose is rendered with simplified forms, reflecting the artist’s interest in balancing decorative color with restrained modeling.
History & Provenance
The painting was completed in 1935, during a period when Iser was exploring figurative subjects with a focus on color contrast. Its provenance remains linked to the artist’s personal collection, and it has been referenced in catalogues of Romanian modernist art.
Artist & collection
Museum
National Museum of Romanian Literature
Continue through works from the same source collection.
