This picture was painted in the Oriental style which was in fashion since Delacroix's Women of Algiers. The model for the painting was Lise Tréhot, the artist's mistress.The title of the picture acknowledged the artificial nature of much Orientalist painting by making it clear that these were Parisian women in costume. It may also be a humorous reference to the fact that Delacroix had been forced to paint Women of Algiers in the studio using French models after failing to obtain adequate access to women's accommodation during his trip to Algiers in 1832.
|