Tiered Court Scene

Description

Emperor Muhammad Shah rekindled an imperial interest in Hinduism that had not been so strong since the time of Akbar, 150 years before. He commissioned this painting that shows the acts of Rama, hero of a Hindu epic, who slays the demon of the golden city of Lanka at the top of the page. In the middle sections, various Hindu deities enjoy music, kite flying, and boating, while at the bottom the Krishna plays Holi with his lover Radha and other palace women. They shoot red-colored water at one another with plunger guns in celebration of the coming of spring.

Provenance

Michael and Georgia de Havenon, New York, NY, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art (?–1973); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1973–)

Tiered Court Scene

Chitarman II

c. 1735

Accession Number

1973.237

Medium

Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper

Dimensions

Overall: 54.6 x 39 cm (21 1/2 x 15 3/8 in.); Painting: 40.1 x 29.1 cm (15 13/16 x 11 7/16 in.)

Classification

Painting

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Michael de Havenon