Artwork
Două odalisce în interior (Paulina și Mariana)
Două odalisce în interior (Paulina și Mariana) is an unspecified painting by Iosif Iser. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Art of Romania.
About this work
Overview
“Două odalisce în interior (Paulina şi Mariana)” is an oil painting attributed to Romanian artist Iosif Iser, dated to around 1850. The work presents an intimate interior scene in which two women occupy the foreground, one engaged with a stringed instrument while the other observes.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on a quiet, domestic moment: the seated musician leans forward, fingers poised on the instrument, suggesting a private performance. The companion’s hand rests on a chair, indicating a relaxed, attentive stance. The title’s reference to odalisques hints at an exotic or Orientalist flavor, yet the setting remains modest and interior.
Technique & Style
Iser employs a vivid palette of reds, yellows, and blues, applied with thick, textured brushwork that creates a palpable surface. The background is rendered in warm, uneven tones reminiscent of aged plaster, while the illumination catches the women’s faces, separating them from the busy backdrop. The impasto treatment emphasizes materiality and depth.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1850, the painting belongs to Iser’s early period, when he was exploring genre scenes and Orientalist motifs. Its provenance traces back to private collections in Romania before entering public holdings, though specific acquisition details remain limited.
Artist & collection
