Odalisque

An odalisque (Turkish: Odalık) was a concubine in a Turkish harem, particularly the concubines in the household of the Ottoman sultan.

Etymology

The word "odalisque" is French in form and originates from the Turkish odalık, meaning "chambermaid", from oda, "chamber" or "room". It can also be transliterated odahlic, odalisk, and odaliq.

Joan DelPlato has described the term's shift in meaning from Turkish to English and French:

Origin as the Turkish odalık

An odalık was not a concubine of the harem, but a maid, even if it was possible that she could become one. An odalık was ranked at the bottom of the social stratification of a harem, serving not the man of the household, but rather, his concubines and wives as personal chambermaids. Odalık were usually slaves given as gifts to the sultan by wealthy Turkish men. Generally, an odalık was never seen by the sultan but instead remained under the direct supervision of his mother, the Valide Sultan.

If an odalık was of extraordinary beauty or had exceptional talents in dancing or singing, she would be trained as a possible concubine. If selected, an odalık trained as a concubine would serve the sultan sexually and only after such sexual contact would she change in status, becoming thenceforth a concubine. In the Ottoman Empire, concubines encountered the sultan only once, unless she was especially skilled in dance, singing, or the sexual arts, thus gaining his attention. If a concubine's contact with the sultan resulted in the birth of a son, she would become one of his wives.

Odalisque (painting)

The Odalisque is a famous 1885 painting by awarding Filipino painter and hero Juan Luna. It is one of Luna's so-called "Academic Salon portraits" that followed the standards of proper proportion and perspective, and realistic depictions with "an air of dignity and allure". Although less polished compared to Luna's other works of art, the Odalisque is typical of the well-planned characteristic of the artist's portraits, meaning it was painted in a personal studio while expertly studying the desired effects, and with finesse. The Odalisque is one of the paintings that made Luna as an officially accepted artist at the Salon of Paris because it shows Luna's skill at draftsmanship, his "talent to draw and to draw well". The Odalisque was formerly a part of the painting collection of Philippine national hero José Rizal. It is currently a component of the Don Luis Araneta Collection in the Philippines.

References

External links

Odalisque (novel)

Odalisque is a 2005 fantasy novel by Fiona McIntosh and the first in the Percheron series.

Plot summary

The story begins with a slave driver attempting to sell his latest finds, including a foreign captive known only as Lazar. Hot tempered and confident, Lazar invokes his right to a fight to the death that, if he wins, will grant him his freedom. Zar Joreb, Percheron's leader decides to attend the fight and is so impressed by the demonstrated fighting skills that he offers Lazar the elite position of Spur.

Reception

Writing for The Sun-Herald newspaper, Genevieve Swart gave Odalisque a positive review, stating "the book races off to a good start, leaving us on tenterhooks awaiting the next page-turner", while also noting that McIntosh's "torture scenes might want to come with a warning, so horrifying are the descriptions of medieval-style brutality". Reviewing the novel for the The Age newspaper, Cameron Woodhead described the series as "competent" and "fast-paced", but was critical of how accurately Islamic history was portrayed.