Artwork Page for The Brahman, unable to select from the four gifts of the king of the Ocean seeks the Raja’s advice, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eleventh Night

Details / Information for The Brahman, unable to select from the four gifts of the king of the Ocean seeks the Raja’s advice, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eleventh Night

The Brahman, unable to select from the four gifts of the king of the Ocean seeks the Raja’s advice, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eleventh Night

c. 1560

Mughal India, court of Akbar

(reigned 1556–1605)
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Medium
gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Measurements
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.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.93.b
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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The tree suggests a garden through the open door in the back wall.

Description

Behind the Brahman, four men present gold, jewels, a robe and a horse. The enthroned Raja has offered one of these gifts to the Brahman. However, after consulting with his sons, the Brahman is unable to choose the best one and returns to the Raja in frustration. The Raja, pleased with the Brahman’s honesty, allows him to keep all four.
A vertically oriented tempera painting depicts people with light skin tones in orange, pink, and white clothing with black Persian calligraphy above and below. On our right, a man in an orange tunic sits on a platform under a red umbrella. Facing him, another man in a pink robe gestures toward a framed green tree. To our left, four men stand near a brown horse atop yellow and patterned rugs.

The Brahman, unable to select from the four gifts of the king of the Ocean seeks the Raja’s advice, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eleventh Night

c. 1560

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

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