Madhava faces a man holding a scale, folio 1 from a Madhavanala-Kamakandala

c. 1720

Northern India, Pahari kingdoms

Medium

Measurements

Painting: 19.2 x 28.7 cm (7 9/16 x 11 5/16 in.); Page: 21.8 x 30.4 cm (8 9/16 x 11 15/16 in.)

Credit Line

Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.95

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Location

242B Indian Painting

Did You Know?

This is the first page in the series, five of which are in the Cleveland Museum of Art collection.

Description

In the opening page of the series, the artist sets the scene in the city of Pushpavati. The protagonist Madhava holds a stringed instrument (vina), which he plays so bewitchingly that women become entranced. His good looks and musical talent earn him extra riches, which are being presented to him at the lower left. Other Brahmin priests and members of the nobility become jealous.