The painting Odalisque with a slave by Ingres, painted in 1839, is rendered with the greatest attention to detail, nothing is spared by the intense decoration by Ingres. This intentional decision and other aspects of the painting convey a sense of idealized, almost exaggerated luxury. Three subjects are depicted in the work and each is stylized differently with varying lighting, color, and facial emotion, all of which embody a possible racial and economic class message. The setting also plays into this ideology; not only by placing the subjects in particular positions and locations, but also adding to the feeling of extreme opulence by drawing the viewers' eyes in one way or another through the use of particular viewpoints and to the variation in the directionality of the lines present in the work. .Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Starting with the topics – as I think these are the most demanding points on the board – it is important to see the differences between them. Odalisque is clearly intended to be the main character, as she is the only one who is not only completely naked, but also bathed in this ephemeral, radiant light. Her hair is uncovered and spreads around her like a halo, giving further substance to the idea that she looks like a goddess. Expensive silk robes are gathered around her as she greets the musician and is served by the slave, marking her as the center of activity and attention of the individuals inside the painting and those who look at him. Despite such attentions, his complete relaxation is seen in his reclined posture and heavy-lidded gaze. This look, however, subtly diverts attention towards the musician when we follow Odalisque's gaze. The musician is dressier than Odalisque, but there are still hints of sexualization through the delicate curve of the foot, the graceful arch of the neck, and the slight exposed right breast. Her hair is hidden under a scarf, but she is dressed in what appears to be expensive clothing and several pieces of gold jewelry. The way one hand strums the instrument and the other holds the strings suggests movement, unlike Odalisque which is almost sculptural in its stillness. The musician is depicted in less light than Odalisque, but she retains a bit of the same air because she is not entirely in the shadows either. These details about the musician pale in comparison to the way Ingres rendered her facial emotions. She seems primarily melancholy, perhaps because she has to perform for rich women like Odalisque. His eyes, although lacking Odalisque's direct gaze, point us to the next figure included in the painting, that of the slave. This character is entirely in shadow and is completely covered in clothing from head to toe, clothing that almost rivals that of the musician. Placed in a corner, hands clasped, this character looks longingly behind the musician at what appears to be a fountain. A key characteristic of this character is that she is racially different from the other two; while they have light skin, it is black. Along this line of thought, Ingres' use of color and lighting in this work alludes to possible subliminal messages being conveyed. Overall, the colors used symbolize opulence. Gold is very important; creating the halo of Odalisque's hair, shining like jewels, covering the railing, and composing several additional pieces such as a crown and a hookah. Long known for its association.