The deceitful wife assaults her erring husband, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night

c. 1560

The deceitful wife assaults her erring husband, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night, c. 1560. Tara 1 (Indian, active 1550s-1590s). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; painting only: 14.8 x 10.3 cm (5 13/16 x 4 1/16 in.); overall: 20 x 13.6 cm (7 7/8 x 5 3/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.60.b A merchant’s wife carries on affairs while her husband is away. On the journey home, the merchant buys a woman’s company for the night. His own wife answers the call. When the merchant’s identity is revealed, the wife attacks him in order to distract from her own indiscretions. Townspeople surrounding the merchant’s chamber look on at the sound of the assault. Both the brothel madam and one of the customers in the courtyard bite the index finger in a gesture of surprise.