Artwork

The prince being taken away for execution on the false complaint of the handmaiden, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night

The prince being taken away for execution on the false complaint of the handmaiden, 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.

About this work

If you like this scene, look up *Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)*.

You see a prince in chains, guards dragging him toward a sword. A woman in fine clothes points at him, her face twisted. The king sits on a throne, watching.

The prince took a vow of silence, so he can’t defend himself. The handmaiden lies to save her reputation. The painting shows the moment just before the execution—no blood, just tension.

If you like this scene, look up *Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)*.

Overview

The canvas captures a dramatic moment from the eighth night of a Persian tale, depicting a prince bound in chains as royal guards pull him toward a looming execution sword. A richly dressed woman gestures accusatorily, while a seated monarch observes the scene, emphasizing the tension of impending judgment.

Subject & Meaning

The narrative centers on a handmaiden who, fearing the prince’s rejection and potential exposure of her impropriety, fabricates a charge of assault. The prince, bound by a self‑imposed vow of silence, cannot refute the accusation, leading the king to decree his beheading. The painting visualizes the consequences of deceit and enforced silence.

Technique & Style

Rendered with meticulous attention to costume detail and spatial composition, the work employs a balanced arrangement that draws the eye from the accusing woman to the restrained prince and up to the observing king. The palette contrasts the muted tones of the prison setting with the vivid fabrics of the accuser, heightening the emotional charge.

Context

The scene derives from a Tuti‑nama, a collection of moral stories popular in Mughal courts during Akbar’s reign (1556–1605). Such narratives were often illustrated to convey ethical lessons, and the painting reflects the courtly aesthetic and storytelling traditions of that period.