Artwork Page for The creatures of the sea are asked by the king of the Ocean to take a message to the Brahman, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eleventh Night

Details / Information for The creatures of the sea are asked by the king of the Ocean to take a message to the Brahman, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eleventh Night

The creatures of the sea are asked by the king of the Ocean to take a message to the Brahman, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eleventh Night

c. 1560

Mughal India, court of Akbar

(reigned 1556–1605)
View all records in artwork set
Medium
gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Measurements
Overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); Painting only: 7.3 x 10.1 cm (2 7/8 x 4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.89.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
Print
?

Did You Know?

The sea dragon is chief of the many species under the Ocean King’s command.

Description

The creatures of the sea, by turn, refuse to convey the king of the ocean’s acceptance of the wedding invitation to the Brahman. The sea dragon in the upper right is concerned that he will frighten people, so he volunteered the whale. The whale said that he has no legs to walk on land, so volunteered the turtle. The turtle said he would be too slow and would never make it on time. The crab feared he would not be taken seriously, and the crocodile said that he is too rough and vulgar for the job. The frog agreed to go.
A vertical manuscript page features columns of black and blue Persian calligraphy above a vivid illustration of sea creatures. Within dark, white-foamed waves, a large, teal-spotted monster swims toward the upper right. Centrally, a yellow-finned, long-snouted beast swallows a silver fish. A brown crab and green turtle paddle on the lower left, while a spotted frog swims at the bottom right. The composition emphasizes stylized, turbulent motion.

The creatures of the sea are asked by the king of the Ocean to take a message to the Brahman, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eleventh Night

c. 1560

Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork