Artwork

The merchant’s daughter meets the gardener, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twelfth Night

The merchant’s daughter meets the gardener, 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 small, vibrant painting depicts a scene from the Tuti-nama, a collection of 52 tales.

About this work

Artists kept old Persian styles—figures in sharp profile, stiff clothes, and bold gestures—even while working for the Mughal court.

You see a small, bright painting of a rich merchant’s daughter talking to a gardener in a walled garden. Trees are flat shapes, and everyone stands in a single line, like actors on a stage.

The story comes from a book of 52 parrot tales read right to left. Artists kept old Persian styles—figures in sharp profile, stiff clothes, and bold gestures—even while working for the Mughal court.

Look up *mughal india, court of akbar (reigned 1556–1605)* to see more of these lively miniatures.

Overview

This small, vibrant painting depicts a scene from the Tuti-nama, a collection of 52 tales. It shows a merchant's daughter conversing with a gardener within a walled garden.

Subject & Meaning

The image illustrates the twelfth night of the Tuti-nama's stories, which are meant to be read from right to left. The narrative is presented through the interaction between the merchant's daughter and the gardener.

Technique & Style

The painting features flat, bold tree shapes and figures arranged in a single horizontal band, with angular and expressive gestures. The women's figures, shown in profile with stiff garments, reflect pre-Mughal artistic influences.

Context

Created for the Mughal court, likely during the reign of Akbar (1556–1605), this work blends older Persian styles with emerging Mughal artistic elements.