Artwork

The handmaiden again pleads for the death of the prince, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night

Lalu , 1560

The handmaiden again pleads for the death of the prince, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Lalu. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1560 by the artist known as Lalu, this miniature painting forms part of a manuscript illustrating the eighth night of the *Tuti‑nama* (Tales of a Parrot). It is presently conserved in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a handmaiden, dressed in a vivid orange garment, pleading once more for the prince’s death. She is seated on a raised platform, fan in hand, while a green‑clad man stands before her, suggesting a moment of dramatic dialogue within the narrative of the tale.

Technique & Style

Executed in the miniature tradition, the work employs bright pigments and intricate patterning. The floor is covered with geometric tiles, and the walls feature decorative borders. Figures are rendered in richly colored robes—orange, green, purple—against a blue‑and‑gold patterned backdrop, characteristic of Persian manuscript illumination.

History & Provenance

The painting has remained within the manuscript tradition of the *Tuti‑nama* and entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century. Its authorship is attributed to Lalu, an artist active in the mid‑16th century Persian court.

Context

The *Tuti‑nama* is a collection of moral stories narrated by a parrot, popular in Persian literary culture. This particular illustration captures the emotional climax of the eighth night, reflecting the manuscript’s function as both a literary and visual vehicle for storytelling.