Erotic Couple (Mithuna)

Currently not on view

Erotic Couple (Mithuna)

c. 13th century

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

The mithuna, an image of an erotically involved couple not actively engaged in sexual intercourse, is an auspicious motif because of its associations with agricultural fertility and with the creative aspect of the universe, as well as with procreation. In this image, the link with vegetal fertility is reinforced by a cluster of leaves crowning each figure. In early temples it is rare to find images as explicit as this one, although couples lovingly intertwined are common. By the eleventh century the increasing popularity of tantric (magical) sexual rites may have contributed to making the overtly erotic couple and couples engaged in active sexual intercourse (maithuna) more frequent occupants of the profusely ornamented exterior walls of temples. In Orissa, from the eleventh century onward, mithunas and maithunas routinely appear on temples in the vertically recessed sections of the upper wall and tower.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Erotic Couple (Mithuna)

Date:

c. 13th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Sandstone with pigment

Dimensions:

22 3/8 × 5 7/8 × 4 1/4 inches (56.8 × 14.9 × 10.8 cm)

Classification:

Sculpture

Credit Line:

Purchased from the Stella Kramrisch Collection with funds contributed by R. Sturgis Ingersoll, Nelson Rockefeller, and other generous donors, the bequest of Sophia Cadwalader, the Popular Subscription Fund, and proceeds from the sale of deaccessioned works of art, 1956

Accession Number:

1956-75-16

Geography:

Made in Odisha, India, Asia

Context:

Dynasty: Somavamshi Dynasty? Period: Medieval Period (c. 600 - c. 1300)

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Currently not on view