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Extra vertebrae in Ingres' La Grande Odalisque
Jean-Yves Maigne1, Gilles Chatellier, Hélène Norlöff
1Department of Physical Medicine, Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, Place du Parvis Notre-Dame, 75181 Paris Cedex 04, France.
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
|July 2, 2004
Summary
Ingres's "La Grande Odalisque" painting features anatomical distortions, with five extra lumbar vertebrae, not three. This artistic deformation may symbolize the psychological gulf between the subject's thoughts and social role.
Area of Science:
- Art History
- Anatomy
- Art Analysis
Background:
- Jean-Auguste Ingres's 1814 painting "La Grande Odalisque" has been historically criticized for anatomical inaccuracies, specifically regarding the lumbar spine.
- Previous critiques suggested the figure possessed three extra lumbar vertebrae, a claim widely accepted but scientifically unverified.
Observation:
- The study involved measuring human models to establish normative proportions of back and pelvic length relative to head height.
- These established proportions were then applied to Ingres's "La Grande Odalisque" for comparative analysis.
Findings:
- The analysis revealed a greater anatomical distortion than previously assumed, equivalent to five extra lumbar vertebrae.
- The deformation was found to affect both the length of the back and the proportions of the pelvis.
Implications:
- The findings suggest Ingres intentionally manipulated anatomical proportions for symbolic purposes, rather than due to a lack of skill.
- This distortion may represent a deliberate artistic choice to visually separate the subject's contemplative "head" from her "pelvis," symbolizing a disconnect between her inner thoughts and societal role.