A King Making Love in the Harem
Unknown Artist
c. 1720–30
Medium
gum tempera and gold on paper
Dimensions
page: 13.7 × 9.5 cm · miniature: 8.3 × 8.6 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
Accession Number
2018.170
About this artwork
From a series of paintings valorizing the virility of the ruler, this scene of lovemaking is set in the lavish interior space of the palace women’s quarters. Mauve floral carpet, gold lattice window, and vessels for wine and breath-freshening paan enhance the scene. The marble walls with gold flowering plants and niches appear gray in the dim evening light.