Artwork

The farmer, father of the son with the deceitful wife, steals away with her anklet while she is in bed with her lover, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night

The farmer, father of the son with the deceitful wife, steals away with her anklet while she is in bed with her lover, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth 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 parrot tales created for Emperor Akbar.

About this work

You see a man tiptoeing out of a room, holding a woman’s anklet while she and her lover lie in bed, half-hidden by curtains.

You see a man tiptoeing out of a room, holding a woman’s anklet while she and her lover lie in bed, half-hidden by curtains.

This painting comes from a book of parrot tales made for Emperor Akbar. The story is a mix of gossip and warning—about trust, secrets, and what happens when they unravel. The little details, like the pan leaves and perfume bottles under the bed, show how carefully the scene was set up.

To see more art like this, look up mughal india, court of akbar (reigned 1556–1605).

Overview

This painting illustrates a scene from the Tuti-nama, a collection of parrot tales created for Emperor Akbar. It depicts a moment of discovery and deception in a story about infidelity and its consequences.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows a farmer stealing an anklet from his son's unfaithful wife while she is in bed with her lover. The act is a pivotal moment in the narrative, revealing the wife's infidelity and setting the stage for further conflict.

Technique & Style

The painting features intricate details, such as a pitcher, basin, pan leaves, and perfume bottles under the bed, which suggest a carefully prepared romantic encounter. The composition is characterized by its use of curtains to partially conceal the lovers, adding a sense of intimacy and secrecy.

Context

The Tuti-nama was produced during the reign of Emperor Akbar (1556–1605), a period of significant cultural and artistic development in Mughal India. The manuscript is a testament to the artistic and literary tastes of the Mughal court.