Fine Art

Women of Algiers — History & Facts

Two women recline side by side on a low divan, their bodies turned toward the viewer in a quiet, enclosed interior. The woman on the left sits upright, her head slightly tilted, with her right arm bent and resting on a cushion, and her left arm draped across her lap. She wears a patterned garment that slips off her shoulders, exposing her upper torso, and her hair is gathered up and tied with a cloth.

The woman to her right leans on her left elbow, gazing thoughtfully at her companion, her right hand resting on her knee. She is dressed in a long robe with a sash, adorned with jewelry at her neck, and her hair is pulled back, revealing a calm, contemplative expression. Both women are surrounded by cushions and draped fabrics, which create a sense of comfort and intimacy within the room.

Behind them, a wall divides the space, with a small niche or window visible above and between their heads, adding depth to the setting. To the right, a large, rounded canopy or domed cover hangs over a piece of furniture, its fabric falling in heavy folds that echo the lines of the women's garments. On the floor in the lower right corner, a pair of slippers lies casually beside the women, suggesting a moment of leisure.

The arrangement of the figures and objects draws attention to the quiet relationship between the women, emphasizing their shared space and relaxed postures. Eugène Delacroix created this work in 1833, as identified in the title Femmes d'Alger.

Sources: National Gallery of Art, record 1999.111.12 · Wikidata Q75427519

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