The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 20, 2024

Three Musicians Perform Before a King: Shri Raga, from a Ragamala

Three Musicians Perform Before a King: Shri Raga, from a Ragamala

c. 1650
gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
20.8 x 16.5 cm (8 3/16 x 6 1/2 in.)
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.131
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

Rainspouts in the form of mythical elephant-crocodiles (makara) hold yellow flags in their trunks.

Description

A king sits on a throne with a yogic band around his legs, listening to the music of two sages: a blue-skinned sage on a stringed instrument (vina), and a white-skinned one playing cymbals. A standing percussionist accompanies them on a drum. An attendant behind the king holds the royal canopy over his head.
  • 1989-2001
    Ralph Benkaim [1914-2001] and Catherine Glynn Benkaim [b. 1946], Beverly Hills, CA, by descent to Catherine Benkaim
    2001-2018
    Catherine Glynn Benkaim and Barbara Timmer, Beverly Hills, CA, partial sale and gift to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2018-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • {{cite web|title=Three Musicians Perform Before a King: Shri Raga, from a Ragamala|url=false|author=|year=c. 1650|access-date=20 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.131