Artwork
The lion, suspecting treachery on the part of the monkey, slays him and flees, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-ninth Night
The lion, suspecting treachery on the part of the monkey, slays him and flees, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-ninth Night is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
" It depicts a lion in mid-attack, its jaws open over a bleeding monkey clinging to a tree branch.
This painting, titled "The lion, suspecting treachery on the part of the monkey, slays him and flees," illustrates a dramatic moment from the Tuti-nama, or "Tales of a Parrot." It depicts a lion in mid-attack, its jaws open over a bleeding monkey clinging to a tree branch. The artwork is part of a larger manuscript, specifically illustrating the twenty-ninth night of the narrative, which typically conveys moral lessons through animal fables.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures a pivotal, violent instant within an allegorical tale. A lion, characterized by light, shaggy fur, lunges at a dark-furred monkey, whose body is contorted in agony. This specific narrative segment from the Tuti-nama series often explores themes of betrayal and its consequences, using animal protagonists to convey complex human interactions and ethical dilemmas. The image serves as a visual interpretation of a cautionary fable.
Technique & Style
The artist employed a distinctive visual approach to render this narrative. The composition features a vibrant palette of flat, saturated colors, which define the forms of the animals and the surrounding landscape. Bold outlines delineate figures and objects, enhancing the clarity of the action. Details like white blossoms on a tree and flying birds add to the setting, while green bushes and a blue sky complete the background, emphasizing the dramatic encounter.
Artist & collection
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