Artwork Page for The astrologer predicts a calamity for the newly born prince in his thirteenth year, but one which he would be able to overcome, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night

Details / Information for The astrologer predicts a calamity for the newly born prince in his thirteenth year, but one which he would be able to overcome, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night

The astrologer predicts a calamity for the newly born prince in his thirteenth year, but one which he would be able to overcome, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night

c. 1560

Banavari 1

(Indian, active 1550s-1590s)
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Culture
Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)
Medium
gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Measurements
Overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); Painting only: 6.3 x 9.9 cm (2 1/2 x 3 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.52.b
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

The bearded astrologer has a chart with calculations on the carpet in front of him.

Description

The parrot’s tale on the eighth night begins with a king in India who finally had a son late in life. The painting depicts the king enthroned, gesturing to the documents of an astrologer who has predicted that the child will undergo severe hardship in his 13th year, but that he will overcome them. The infant prince is held in the arms of a woman kneeling at the left. Female musicians provide accompaniment to the scene. The flat red background, drawn from indigenous Indian painting traditions, visually connotes the emotionally charged quality of this moment for the king.
A vertically oriented tempera painting depicts a bare-chested man with a medium-light skin tone seated within a red-pillared pavilion. Behind him, an attendant holds a fly-whisk. A kneeling figure in a yellow tunic presents an open book, while four women in vibrant orange and blue robes sit on floral carpets to the left, one playing a drum. Above the illustration, multiple rows of black Persian script occupy the top half of the page.

The astrologer predicts a calamity for the newly born prince in his thirteenth year, but one which he would be able to overcome, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night

c. 1560

Banavari 1

(Indian, active 1550s-1590s)
Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

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