Artwork

The young prince is crowned and the wicked handmaiden is executed, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night

The young prince is crowned and the wicked handmaiden is executed, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Suraju. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Executed in 1560 by the Indian painter Suraju, the work belongs to the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, where it is cataloged under accession number 1962.

The miniature illustrates the climax of the Eighth Night tale in the Persian Tuti-nama, showing the young prince being crowned while the treacherous handmaiden faces execution. The composition emphasizes royal authority and moral justice, with the prince’s elevated posture and crown symbolizing legitimate power, and the handmaiden’s downfall representing the triumph of virtue over betrayal. Executed in 1560 by the Indian painter Suraju, the work belongs to the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, where it is cataloged under accession number 1962.279.73.a and remains on view in the museum’s South Asian art galleries.

Technique & Style

The painting depicts the moment of a young prince's coronation alongside the execution of a treacherous handmaiden, rendered in opaque pigments on a paper support typical of Mughal manuscript illumination. The composition employs flat spatial patterning and bold outlines characteristic of 16th-century Indian manuscript painting, with rich jewel tones applied in layered washes to suggest texture and depth. Fine brushwork defines facial features and drapery folds, while gold leaf accents highlight ceremonial elements, reflecting the technical precision of Suraju's workshop practice.

History & Provenance

The young prince is crowned and the wicked handmaiden is executed, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night was created by the Indian artist Suraju in 1560. The painting forms part of a larger Tuti-nama manuscript. It is currently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is cataloged with the accession number 1962.279.73.a.

Overview

Created in 1560 by the Indian painter Suraju, this panel illustrates a moment from the eighth night of the Tuti‑nama, a collection of illustrated tales. The work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. It portrays a ceremonial crowning of a young prince alongside the execution of a treacherous handmaiden, rendered in a vivid, narrative composition.

Context

The Tuti‑nama, or “Tales of a Parrot,” is a Persian‑origin story cycle adapted in the Indian subcontinent, often illustrated for elite patrons. This eighth‑night scene reflects the period’s interest in moralizing narratives and the cross‑cultural exchange between Persian literary motifs and Indian visual conventions.