Artwork Page for A couple seated against two pillows engaged in sex, from an erotic series

Details / Information for A couple seated against two pillows engaged in sex, from an erotic series

A couple seated against two pillows engaged in sex, from an erotic series

c. 1700–1710

Northern India, Pahari kingdoms

Medium
gum tempera on paper
Measurements
Page: 21.2 x 18.1 cm (8 3/8 x 7 1/8 in.); Image: 18.1 x 16.4 cm (7 1/8 x 6 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.110
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

Yellow pigment has been used for jewelry instead of gold.

Description

Erotic paintings were commissioned by the patrons of painting, at times for educational purposes, mostly for pleasure. The artists would seek inspiration for the peculiar sexual positions from ancient texts such as Kamasutra and Kokashastra. In the painting, a woman rests on the lap of her paramour while their position is supported by two large bolsters put against the wall.
A vertically oriented gum tempera painting depicts a man in a red turban and tunic making love to a nude woman straddling his lap. Both have light skin tones and sit on a yellow floral carpet against patterned pillows. Above them, a green and white canopy features pink curtains. To our right, a striped water pipe stands against a white wall with small shelves. A thick orange border surrounds the scene.

A couple seated against two pillows engaged in sex, from an erotic series

c. 1700–1710

Northern India, Pahari kingdoms

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