Miniature painting of an odalisque and a man

An odalisque was a female slave or concubine in a harem, especially in the Ottoman Empire. The term is derived from the Turkish word "odalık", which means "chambermaid" or "attendant". Odalisques were often depicted in Western art as exotic and sensual figures lounging in luxurious surroundings.

The concept of the odalisque became popular in European art during the 19th century, particularly in the works of artists such as Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres and Eugène Delacroix. These paintings often portrayed odalisques in a romantic and idealised manner, emphasising their beauty and the opulence of their surroundings.