Orientalist Lithograph of Reclining Woman with Parrots, Ulrika, c.1840, Berlin

Orientalist Lithograph of Reclining Woman with Parrots, “Ulrika”, c.1840, Berlin

This striking hand-colored lithograph titled “Ulrika” presents a vivid and sensual orientalist scene, typical of 19th-century European fascination with exotic subjects. The composition centers on a reclining woman, partially draped in white and gold garments, adorned with a pink turban and gold jewelry. She is portrayed in a relaxed pose on a sumptuous divan with rich red and purple drapery, evoking an imagined harem-like setting.

Opposite her sits a young servant of African descent, dressed in blue and red robes with gold accents, holding out a green parrot with a vivid red head. Another exotic bird perches on a golden ring above, contributing to the lush, tropical ambiance of the scene. The backdrop reveals classical architecture, heavy curtains, and a double-tiered garden fountain, enhancing the illusion of an opulent, faraway palace.

The lithograph is after a design by German artist Adolf Schrödter (1805–1875), a painter and illustrator known for his work in the Romantic and Biedermeier styles. It was printed by Winckelmann & Söhne in Berlin and published by V. Zawitz, a publisher active in mid-19th century Berlin. The stylized name “Ulrika” appears centered below the image, possibly referencing the figure depicted, though more likely a fanciful name added to appeal to contemporary tastes.

Such works were part of a wider European trend in which artists, printmakers, and publishers catered to middle-class audiences eager for picturesque or eroticized visions of “the Orient”, a concept broadly and inaccurately applied to Middle Eastern, African, and Asian cultures. Today, these images offer important insights into period aesthetics, race, and the constructed fantasies of empire and desire.

Condition: Fair to good condition with vivid original hand-coloring. Some light staining and spotting in the margins. Faint edge wear and a minor horizontal crease in the right margin. Visible plate mark around image. Image well preserved.

Framing tips: A gold or dark wooden frame with a wide ivory or warm-toned mat will enhance the opulence and theatrical character of this lithograph. A darker mat can also complement the rich fabric tones.

Technique: Hand-colored lithograph

Maker: Adolf Schrödter (del.), printed by Winckelmann & Söhne, published by V. Zawitz, Berlin, c.1840