26. Odalisque with Red Beads [1921-1922]

Bewitched by the mystery of the East and seduced by the exotic abundance of landscapes, Iosif Iser repeatedly traveled to Constanta, Mangalia or Turtucaia, but also to Balchik or on the Bosporus coast. The artist dedicated a long period to studying traditions and customs of the Turkish minority on the Black Sea. Later, from the same pictorial theme, the series of odalisques would emerge which were to remain imprinted in the collective memory of his audience. Iser uses the dull color of Dobrogea and its arid landscape; his characters are slightly geometrized and his palette gradually lightens, often carrying shades of red, green, yellow or orange. From what he observes around him, the artist chooses the most representative framework to transpose into pictorial narratives. He managed thus to transcribe the stories of the Orient in a series dedicated to the odalisques, Tatars, traditional houses, minarets or Eastern streets. Over time, he was interested in depicting the lives of typologies that motivated his creative self - harlequins, ballerinas, singers or odalisques. The oriental-themed subject represented one of the topics that had consecrated the artist in the history of Romanian art. In these topics, he primarily focuses on deciphering the complex characters of his characters - Turks or odalisques. But he will especially focus on female characters. Seated on a sofa, in an armchair, on a carpet or illustrated standing, the odalisques-caryatids of his creation impress us with each appearance. The oriental costume, composed of vest, veils, but especially the trousers that allow them to move freely and have a more relaxed attitude represents the distinctive element of his works. Therefore, the painter will concentrate not only on the psychology of the character, but also on their gestuality or external language, or even on details such as the muses' clothing. In most works belonging to this thematic cycle, as is also the case in the present work, shades of red or orange, or decor enriched by colorful fabrics predominate. The statuesque posture of the model and the partially exposed body will converge into a contrast between the light flesh and the strident color of the clothes. The subject of the current work, declined and resumed by the artist in three distinct variants, presents the protagonist posing on the floor, covered modestly by veils and trousers. One of the other variants was on display in the early ‘20s at the “Salon de Automne” in Paris. However, this version stands out through a few minor yet significant details, such as the bead necklace placed at the base of the protagonist's neck.

References

MIHALACHE, Marin, "Iser", Meridiane Publishing House, Bucharest, 1982. The exhibition catalog "Iser's Travels", Alina Petrescu, the National Museum of Art of Romania Publishing House, Bucharest, 2021.

Dimensions

width 31.5 cm, height 40 cm

Description

oil on cardboard, signed bottom right, in black, "ISER"

Dating

1921-1922

PROVENANCE

composer Anatol Vieru's collection.

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