Artwork

The deceitful wife ejects the procuress after blackening her face, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night

The deceitful wife ejects the procuress after blackening her face, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Shravana. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1560 by the Indian painter Shravana, this work illustrates a moment from the eighth night of the Tuti‑nama, a collection of parrot‑told tales. It is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art and measures roughly the size of a small panel, typical of narrative paintings of the period.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows three women dressed in traditional attire. A woman in a red garment forces a second figure, clad in green, down a staircase, while a third, wearing orange, lies on the floor. The scene captures a moment of conflict, likely referencing a story in which a deceitful wife expels a procuress after having darkened her face.

Technique & Style

Shravana employs a vivid palette, contrasting reds, greens, oranges, and blues to delineate clothing, sky, and landscape. Fine brushwork renders intricate patterns on the garments and detailed jewelry, while the background features a stylized hill and a domed structure rendered in simplified forms, reflecting the decorative aesthetic of Mughal‑influenced manuscript painting.

History & Provenance

After its creation in the mid‑16th century, the painting entered private collections before being acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art in the 20th century. Its provenance traces a path through several European dealers who handled Indian works for Western audiences, ultimately securing its place in an American public institution.