The farmer, father of the son with the deceitful wife, steals away with her anklet while she is in bed with her lover, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

The farmer, father of the son with the deceitful wife, steals away with her anklet while she is in bed with her lover, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night

c. 1560

Mughal India, court of Akbar

(reigned 1556–1605)

Overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); Painting only: 10.4 x 10.1 cm (4 1/8 x 4 in.)

Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.68.a

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Areas of the original, orange paint are visible beneath the lovers’ bed.

Description

The unfaithful wife and her lover were discovered by her father-in-law in their rendezvous place. Thinking she was asleep, he took her anklet as evidence of her infidelity, planning to confront her with it later. The lovers, still in bed, were awakened and witnessed him leaving by the gate, holding her anklet. Under the bed are a pitcher and basin for water, a dish of breath-freshening and mildly narcotic pan leaves, along with bottles of perfumes, all the accoutrements for a romantic encounter.