The old man eats of the fruit of the Tree of Life, but drops dead, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Ninth Night

c. 1560

The old man eats of the fruit of the Tree of Life, but drops dead, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Ninth Night, c. 1560. Lalu. Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; painting only: 11.4 x 10.2 cm (4 1/2 x 4 in.); overall: 20.1 x 14.3 cm (7 15/16 x 5 5/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.78.a The enthroned king stares in amazement at the body of the old man. The parrot, who brought the king the fruit, sits in a cage at the center of the room. Believing the parrot to be a traitor, the king orders his execution. However, unbeknownst to the king, the fruit was actually poisoned by the bite of a venomous snake. The gesture of the index finger touching the mouth indicates shock, awe, or bewilderment.