Odalisque

Odalisque (from Tur. Odaliq - "maid, slave, maid") is a woman who is in the sultan's harem. Odalisques were perceived as concubines or sex slaves, but their status was lower than that of an official wife. Officially, they were servants of the Sultan's wives. They were recruited from virgins and presented as a gift to the sultans. The beautiful odalisque, who managed to charm the master with her beauty, singing and dancing, became the wife of the Sultan. The image of the odalisques attracted the imagination of 19th century artists.