The young prince is crowned and the wicked handmaiden is executed, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

The young prince is crowned and the wicked handmaiden is executed, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night

c. 1560

Suraju

(Indian)

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

gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper

Overall: 20.1 x 14.3 cm (7 15/16 x 5 5/8 in.); Painting only: 13 x 10.1 cm (5 1/8 x 4 in.)

Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.73.a

Location: not on view

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Did You Know?

The king, holding a staff and rosary, is leaving to begin life of retirement as an ascetic.

Description

In the concluding illustration to the parrot's story on the eighth night, the prince is enthroned at the top of the composition to the accompaniment of musical fanfare. His father the king, in blue at the lower right, heads off to retirement in the forest, as was customary, with his walking stick and prayer beads. The ends of garments visible below the picture plane reveal that another earlier composition was painted over—a common practice throughout the Tales of a Parrot in which new recruits to the atelier were experimenting with a new style.