Marcel Blairat (1849–1891) The Odalisque With The Parrot

An Orientalist work, “The Odalisque with a Parrot” by watercolorist Marcel Blairat. A colorful watercolor, full of freshness

Watercolor on paper
Signed lower left
Dimensions: 42 x 64 cm
With frame: 73 x 94 cm

Marcel Blairat, a talented watercolorist and colorist.

His work is characterized by a delicate use of color and attention to detail, which allows him to convey a lively and immersive atmosphere. Our fresh and vibrant watercolor is a fine example of this.
Here, a nude young woman wears a red headdress adorned with gold sequins and sparkling jewelry. She is reclining on a sofa covered with a drape featuring colorful patterns and is playing with a parrot.

“The Odalisque with a Parrot”; the parrot, a symbolic animal in painting

Its image has inspired many artists. Already known in antiquity, the animal was held in high regard for its ability to repeat words. Furthermore, as an exotic animal, the parrot—due to its rarity and high price—could be depicted as an indicator of social status.
Anyone who owns a parrot belongs to the wealthiest social class.
More modern painters, such as Manet and Frida Kahlo in her self-portrait with parrots, have featured them in their works.

Biography

Marcel Blairat was a French painter, watercolorist, and engraver, renowned for the quality of his watercolors.

He made his debut at the Paris Salon in 1877 and participated in Parisian exhibitions, where he displayed etchings and Orientalist watercolors.

He is best known for his works inspired by landscapes, particularly those of Upper Egypt—where he lived for a time—and the Camargue.

Blairat developed his own style and focused on Oriental scenes and natural landscapes.

Bibliography

• E. Bénézit, *Dictionary of Painters, Sculptors, Draftsmen, and Engravers*, Gründ

• “The Minor Masters of Painting (1820–1920)” by Gérald Schurr and Pierre Cabanne

Museums

• Geneva, Museum of Art and History

• New York, Metropolitan Museum, etching