Woman Longing for Her Lover: Verati Ragini of Dipak, from a Ragamala

1650–60

Woman Longing for Her Lover: Verati Ragini of Dipak, from a Ragamala, 1650–60. Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Rajput Kingdom of Kota. Gum tempera, ink, gold, and silver on paper; page: 30.2 x 24.2 cm (11 7/8 x 9 1/2 in.); miniature: 21 x 11.4 cm (8 1/4 x 4 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.176 Outside an open bedchamber, a woman sits on a high stool with her arms stretched up overher head. Her attendant holds a pot of incense that will make her body and garments fragrant in anticipation of an amorous reunion. The red border with silver floral ornament is characteristic of this widely dispersed series. A group of bumble bees surround the heroine, attracted to her perfume.