The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 21, 2025

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

c. 1700–1710

Northern India, Pahari kingdoms

gum tempera on paper
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.)
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.110
Location: Not on view

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.
  • ?–1974
    (Marjorie Buckle, Hong Kong)
    1974–2018
    Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection, Los Angeles
    2018–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • {{cite web|title=A couple seated against two pillows engaged in sex, from an erotic series|url=false|author=|year=c. 1700–1710|access-date=21 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.110