The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of November 15, 2025

Vertically oriented painting depicting a mostly nude man making love to a nude woman seated on our right, her legs spread as he wraps one arm around her back and places his other on her breast. Another nude woman kneels facing them on our left. All three have light skin tones and sit on a red carpet patterned with gold vines and blue flowers. Above and below, rectangular panels colored gold and blue flank the scene.

A King Making Love in the Harem

c. 1720–30

Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Rajput Kingdom of Jaipur

gum tempera and gold on paper
Page: 13.7 x 9.5 cm (5 3/8 x 3 3/4 in.); Miniature: 8.3 x 8.6 cm (3 1/4 x 3 3/8 in.)
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.170
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

Two illuminated panels at top and bottom are decorated with gold and lapis lazuli.

Description

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.
  • {{cite web|title=A King Making Love in the Harem|url=false|author=|year=c. 1720–30|access-date=15 November 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.170