Artwork

King Bhojaraja tries in vain to ascertain the whereabouts of the pearl from the four travelling companions, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twelfth Night

King Bhojaraja tries in vain to ascertain the whereabouts of the pearl from the four travelling companions, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twelfth Night is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This painting illustrates a scene from the Tuti-nama, a collection of tales told by a parrot.

About this work

The story is about a stolen pearl, but the real magic is in the tiny details—every face, fabric, and jewel is painted with sharp, careful lines.

You see a king on a golden throne under a royal parasol, four travelers standing before him, and a streetcleaner pointing at them in anger.

This painting comes from a book of parrot tales made for Emperor Akbar’s court. The story is about a stolen pearl, but the real magic is in the tiny details—every face, fabric, and jewel is painted with sharp, careful lines. It’s like a snapshot of royal life in 16th-century India.

If you like this, look up Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605) for more art from the same time.

Overview

This painting illustrates a scene from the Tuti-nama, a collection of tales told by a parrot. It depicts a king interrogating four travelers suspected of stealing a pearl, as a streetcleaner accuses them.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows King Bhojaraja questioning the travelers, unable to determine who stole the pearl. The story continues with the king's clever daughter solving the mystery through a narrative that reveals the thief's identity.

Technique & Style

The painting features intricate details, with sharp lines defining faces, fabrics, and jewels. It exemplifies the artistic style of 16th-century Mughal India, characterized by precise and careful rendering.

History & Provenance

This artwork was created for Emperor Akbar's court, a hub of cultural and artistic production during his reign from 1556 to 1605. It is part of a manuscript of the Tuti-nama tales.