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Hearing her declaration of love, Ayaz falls at the feet of Mahmuda at the holy shrine. The scene is witnessed by Salim, Ayaz’s friend, and a maid, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-third Night

Hearing her declaration of love, Ayaz falls at the feet of Mahmuda at the holy shrine. The scene is witnessed by Salim, Ayaz’s friend, and a maid, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-third Night, unspecified, 1560
Hearing her declaration of love, Ayaz falls at the feet of Mahmuda at the holy shrine. The scene is witnessed by Salim, Ayaz’s friend, and a maid, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-third Night, unspecified, 1560

Hearing her declaration of love, Ayaz falls at the feet of Mahmuda at the holy shrine. The scene is witnessed by Salim, Ayaz’s friend, and a maid, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-third Night is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The painting illustrates a narrative episode from the thirty‑third night of a Persian “Tuti‑nama,” or Tales of a Parrot.

About this work

History & Provenance

a and is currently housed there; no earlier ownership or commission details are recorded in the available sources.

The painting is a Mughal work dated to 1560, created as part of a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot) manuscript. Its artist remains unknown. The piece entered the Cleveland Museum of Art with the accession number 1962.279.221.a and is currently housed there; no earlier ownership or commission details are recorded in the available sources.

The work is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, catalogued under accession number 1962.279.221.a. It was created in 1560 in the Mughal Empire and is classified as a painting. The piece has been part of the museum’s permanent collection since its acquisition, though specific exhibition records beyond its inclusion in the museum’s ongoing displays are not detailed in the available sources.

Overview

The painting illustrates a narrative episode from the thirty‑third night of a Persian “Tuti‑nama,” or Tales of a Parrot. Set before a white shrine adorned with gold, the scene captures a moment of emotional intensity as a man in red kneels, reaching toward a woman in blue, while another man in orange also kneels nearby. A maid in patterned dress observes, and a friend named Salim watches from the side.

Subject & Meaning

The composition conveys a declaration of love: Ayaz, having heard his beloved Mahmuda’s words, falls at her feet in reverence at the holy shrine. The presence of Salim, Ayaz’s companion, and the maid underscores the public nature of the confession, highlighting themes of devotion, humility, and the intertwining of romantic and spiritual devotion.

Technique & Style

Executed in vivid, flat colors, the work relies on simple geometric forms and a decorative Persian script that crowns the scene. The artist’s use of bright reds, blues, and oranges creates visual contrast, while the gold detailing on the shrine adds a sense of sanctity. The style is narrative and illustrative, prioritizing clear storytelling over naturalistic modeling.

Context

Illustrations such as this one were commonly used to accompany literary works, providing visual commentary on stories from the Tuti‑nama, a collection of moral and romantic tales. The shrine setting reflects the cultural practice of linking love narratives with sacred spaces, a motif prevalent in Persian artistic conventions.

Hearing her declaration of love, Ayaz falls at the feet of Mahmuda at the holy shrine. The scene is witnessed by Salim, Ayaz’s friend, and a maid, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-third Night
Hearing her declaration of love, Ayaz falls at the feet of Mahmuda at the holy shrine. The scene is witnessed by Salim, Ayaz’s friend, and a maid, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-third Night

Artist & collection

SAME SUBJECT

Similarity 100 percent

VISUALLY SIMILAR

Similarity 98 percent
This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see Hearing her declaration of love, Ayaz falls at the feet of Mahmuda at the holy shrine. The scene is witnessed by Salim, Ayaz’s friend, and a maid, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-third Night?

Hearing her declaration of love, Ayaz falls at the feet of Mahmuda at the holy shrine. The scene is witnessed by Salim, Ayaz’s friend, and a maid, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-third Night is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Hearing her declaration of love, Ayaz falls at the feet of Mahmuda at the holy shrine. The scene is witnessed by Salim, Ayaz’s friend, and a maid, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-third Night?

Hearing her declaration of love, Ayaz falls at the feet of Mahmuda at the holy shrine. The scene is witnessed by Salim, Ayaz’s friend, and a maid, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-third Night is associated with Deccan Painting.