La Grande Odalisque by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres

The word 'Odalisque' comes from Turkish 'Odalık', and was a term for chambermaids in the Ottoman Empire. They would be the lowest in standing in a harem, and work as servants for the concubines and wives. The Western European fascination with the arts and culture of the Orient made it a popular subject to paint for many artists, although more often than not with a highly romanticized representation. Perhaps the most famous of these representations is 'La Grande Odalisque', painted by the brilliant Neoclassicist painter Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.