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Khurshid reunited with her husband Utarid, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-second Night

Khurshid reunited with her husband Utarid, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-second Night, unspecified, 1560
Khurshid reunited with her husband Utarid, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-second Night, unspecified, 1560

Khurshid reunited with her husband Utarid, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-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 from the thirty‑second episode of the Persian illustrated manuscript known as the Tuti‑nama, or "Tales of a Parrot.

The work illustrates a narrative from the thirty‑second episode of the Persian illustrated manuscript known as the Tuti‑nama, or "Tales of a Parrot." It is divided into two juxtaposed scenes: on the left, three figures in vivid yellow, orange and blue garments stand before a tiled wall; on the right, a kneeling man in red and green embraces a woman in white beside a bed, with a patterned wall and a balcony with domes visible beyond.

Subject & Meaning

The paired images depict the reunion of Khurshid with her husband Utarid, a moment recounted in the story’s romantic episode. The left panel sets a formal, possibly ceremonial context, while the right panel focuses on the intimate embrace, emphasizing the emotional resolution of the tale.

Technique & Style

Executed in flat, saturated pigments, the painting relies on bold color blocks rather than chiaroscuro to model form. Geometric motifs decorate the tiled surfaces and textiles, and the composition is organized with clear, linear outlines, characteristic of Persian miniature conventions that prioritize decorative pattern over realistic depth.

History & Provenance

The piece originates from a hand‑copied Tuti‑nama manuscript produced in the Persianate world, likely between the 16th and 18th centuries. It entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art through acquisition in the early 20th century, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s Islamic art holdings.

Context

Illustrated manuscripts such as the Tuti‑nama served both literary and visual functions, providing lavishly painted scenes to accompany poetic narratives. The work reflects the cultural exchange between Persian literary traditions and the artistic practices of courtly workshops that favored intricate ornamentation and vivid storytelling.

Artist & collection

SAME SUBJECT

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.