Artwork

The deceitful wife ejects the procuress after blackening her face, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night

The deceitful wife ejects the procuress after blackening her face, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Shravana. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This 16th-century Indian painting illustrates a scene from the Tuti-nama, a collection of tales told by a parrot.

About this work

You see a woman in a red dress shoving another woman out the door while smearing black paint on her face.

You see a woman in a red dress shoving another woman out the door while smearing black paint on her face.

This tiny painting tells a secret story from a 16th-century Indian book of parrot tales. The wife isn’t really angry—she’s sending a hidden message to her lover. The artist added a pink brick wall to make the room feel deeper.

If you like these clever little scenes, look up mughal india, court of akbar (reigned 1556–1605).

Overview

This 16th-century Indian painting illustrates a scene from the Tuti-nama, a collection of tales told by a parrot. It depicts a wife ejecting a messenger after smearing her face with black paint.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows a clever ruse by an adulterous wife, who uses the act of disgracing the messenger as a coded message to her lover to meet at a specific location.

Technique & Style

The artist, Shravana, employed a pink brick wall to create a sense of depth in the composition, adding dimensionality to the intimate scene.

Context

The painting is part of a larger tradition of illustrated manuscripts from Mughal India, particularly during the reign of Akbar (1556–1605).

Legacy

This work exemplifies the intricate and clever narrative style characteristic of Mughal Indian art, inviting viewers to explore the rich cultural context of its creation.