Odalesque, No. 17 from the portfolio "American Pictorial Photography, Series I" (1899); edition 146/150

Art Historical Context

"Odalesque, No. 17" by Charles. Berg captures the sensual elegance of a reclining female figure,oking the classical "odalisque" tradition seen in paintings by artists like Ingres. Created around 1897 and printed as a photogravure 1899, this image is part of the prestigious portfolio *American Pictorial Photography, Series I*, edition 146 of 150. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago Photography and Media Department, it measures a intimate 11.4 × 14.6 cm, inviting close contemplation. Berg, an American photographer active in the late 19th century, embraced Pictorialism—a movement that elevated photography to fine art by emulating painting's painterly effects through soft focus, textured papers, and atmospheric moods. Photogravure, the medium here, was a revolutionary intaglio printing process that allowed for rich tonal depths and subtle gradations, making it ideal for reproducing Pictorialist works with exceptional fidelity. This technique democratized access to high-quality photographic art through portfolios like this one. Published at the dawn of the 20th century, *Odalesque* reflects Pictorialism's cultural ambition to blend Eastern exoticism with Western aesthetics, showcasing photography's maturity. As a limited-edition print, it highlights the era's collector-driven market for photography as collectible art, bridging 19th-century portraiture with modernist experimentation.