108. Odalisque with Theorbo [anii '40]

The Oriental theme represents one of the subjects that established Iosif Iser in the history of Romanian art. Within this theme, he primarily focuses on deciphering the complex characters of his subjects - Turks or odalisques, whom he differentiates through various characteristics. The artist will particularly focus on female characters, illustrating them alone or in pairs. We often find two muses, covered with vests and trousers, wearing colorful turbans on their heads. Iser uses the dull color of Dobrogea and its arid landscape, his characters are lightly geometricized, and his palette gradually brightens, often bearing shades of red, green, yellow or orange. Positioned on the sofa, in the armchair, on the carpet or illustrated standing upright, the odalisque-caryatids of Iser's creation impress us with each appearance. The oriental costume, composed of vests, veils, but especially trousers that allow them to move freely and have a more relaxed attitude, represents the distinctive element of his works. The painter will concentrate, therefore, not only on the psychology of the character, but also on gesture or exterior language, or on details such as the muses' clothing. In most of the works dedicated to this thematic cycle, shades of red or orange dominate, or the decor enriched with colored fabrics. The statue-like posture of the model and the partially stripped body will converge towards a contrast between light flesh and the bright color of the garments. Representative in the economy of his creation through the creative force and unmistakable chromatics, the present work invites the viewer to step into the unusual atmosphere of the Orient.

References

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

Dimensions

width 33.5 cm, height 41.5 cm

Description

oil on canvas, signed top left, in black, "Iser"

Dating

anii '40

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