The king’s handmaiden takes the prince away to the harem, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night

c. 1560

Maker Unknown

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

The king’s handmaiden takes the prince away to the harem, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); painting only: 9.2 x 10 cm (3 5/8 x 3 15/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.55.a An infatuated handmaiden, wearing a sari and veil, leads the young prince away from the seated king. The king and his viziers have agreed to send the prince to the harem in hopes that he will speak in a more relaxed environment. The pink underdrawing is visible in places where the paint has chipped away.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Maker Unknown
Classification: Painting
Formatted Medium: gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Medium: gum, tempera, ink, gold, paper
Dimensions: Overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); Painting only: 9.2 x 10 cm (3 5/8 x 3 15/16 in.)
Departments: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Accession Number: 1962.279.55.a
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry
Exhibitions: Main Asian Rotation (Gallery 245); December 31, 2013 - June 30, 2014.
Rights Statement: CC0