Artwork

The pious man’s son, now a king, reveals himself to his father; his nurse upbraids his unfaithful mother, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fifty-second Night

The pious man’s son, now a king, reveals himself to his father; his nurse upbraids his unfaithful mother, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fifty-second 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

The work illustrates a narrative episode from the fifty‑second night of the Persian illustrated manuscript known as the Tuti‑nama, or Tales of a Parrot.

The work illustrates a narrative episode from the fifty‑second night of the Persian illustrated manuscript known as the Tuti‑nama, or Tales of a Parrot. Set within an opulently adorned interior of red‑brick walls and gilded flooring, four figures occupy the space: a kneeling man in blue, a fallen figure in orange, and two standing women dressed in green and purple. The composition captures a moment of revelation and accusation within the story.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts the son of a devout man, now a king, unveiling his identity to his father. Simultaneously, a nurse chastises the mother for infidelity, pointing to the wounded man on the ground. The juxtaposition of revelation and rebuke underscores themes of loyalty, lineage, and moral judgment central to the tale.

Technique & Style

Rendered with vivid pigments and strong contour lines, the painting employs a flat, decorative approach typical of Persian miniature art. The use of saturated blues, oranges, greens, and purples creates visual contrast, while the intricate architectural details—lamp, shelves, jars, and mirror—enhance the sense of a lavish domestic setting.

History & Provenance

The image originates from a hand‑illuminated copy of the Tuti‑nama, a 16th‑century Persian manuscript that compiled moral stories and fables. The specific folio corresponds to the fifty‑second night of the collection, a period when such illustrated books were commissioned for elite patrons and circulated among courts.

Context

Within the broader tradition of Persian narrative painting, the Tuti‑nama exemplifies the synthesis of literary and visual culture. The work reflects the era’s emphasis on didactic storytelling, where moral lessons were conveyed through elaborate scenes that combined text and image in a single page.

Artist & collection

Museum

Cleveland Museum of Art

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