A King Making Love in the Harem

The old procuress conveys the young man’s message of love to Mansur’s wife, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot: Seventeenth Night

Sravana

Vorstelijk paar in paleis

anonymous

The snake, hidden in a basket of flowers, reveals himself to the Raja who has just sent away his wife, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Forty-third Night

Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

The daughter-in-law returns from her misadventure, feigning insanity, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Sixteenth Night

Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

The rejuvenated old man and the daughter of the king of the jinns take leave of the King of Kings, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Seventh Night

Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

Nanda en Yasoda met Krishna en Balarama

anonymous

Radha and Krishna Embracing, Leaf from a Gita Govinda

India, Deccan, Aurangabad (?), 17th century

Radha and Krishna on a Bed at Night

Unknown Artist

Shahr-Arai and her lover dallying on a bed beneath which is concealed her husband, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fortieth Night

Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

Ramakali ragini

anonymous

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

Northern India, Pahari kingdoms, Himachal Pradesh

The Heroine Who is Faithfully Loved: Madhya Svadhinapatika Nayika, from a Rasamanjari of Bhanudatta

India, Pahari, Nurpur, 18th century