Who painted Princess Smoking a Hookah (as Salabhanjika)?

Princess Smoking a Hookah (as Salabhanjika) was painted by Unknown in 1704.

Where can I see Princess Smoking a Hookah (as Salabhanjika)?

Princess Smoking a Hookah (as Salabhanjika) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Princess Smoking a Hookah (as Salabhanjika)?

Princess Smoking a Hookah (as Salabhanjika) is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Princess Smoking a Hookah (as Salabhanjika)

Unknown , 1704

Princess Smoking a Hookah (as Salabhanjika) is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1704 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts a seated woman in a garden setting, reclining against a tree trunk.

About this work

Overview

The work depicts a seated woman in a garden setting, reclining against a tree trunk. She wears flowing, striped robes and holds a hookah, while a small table with a pot rests nearby. A cat peeks from behind the table, and the scene is framed by a decorative border of gold swirls and floral motifs against a muted green background.

Subject & Meaning

The figure, presented as a salabhanjika—a traditional fertility and auspicious symbol—appears relaxed and slightly playful, suggested by her casual pose and the act of smoking a hookah. The inclusion of the cat and the garden elements reinforces themes of leisure and domestic comfort, while the gold inscription at the top may reference a title or poetic line associated with the scene.

Technique & Style

Executed in a painting medium, the composition combines delicate brushwork for the figure’s garments with bold striped patterns that emphasize movement.

Executed in a painting medium, the composition combines delicate brushwork for the figure’s garments with bold striped patterns that emphasize movement. The background employs a limited palette of soft greens, allowing the gilded border to stand out. The ornamental frame, rich in swirling gold and floral designs, reflects the decorative sensibilities typical of Mughal court art, where intricate detailing and luxurious materials are prominent.

Context

The piece illustrates the synthesis of Mughal artistic conventions with influences from the Kulu region, evident in the garden motif and the stylized treatment of the figure. Such works often served both aesthetic and symbolic purposes, integrating courtly leisure activities—like hookah smoking—into visual narratives that celebrated refined taste and cultural exchange within the empire.